Al Qaeda threatens Saudi Arabia over plan to execute prisoners

Saudi Arabia has executed at least 151 people this year, according to Amnesty International


Reuters December 01, 2015
PHOTO: AFP

DUBAI: Al Qaeda's affiliate in Yemen threatened the Saudi government over its plan to carry out a mass execution of prisoners, including al Qaeda members, the militant group announced in a statement posted on social media.

Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), one of the deadliest branches of the global militant network, said it was aware of Saudi intentions to execute its members in Saudi prisons and pledged to carry out attacks in response.

Saudi Arabia set to behead 50 terrorism convicts in one go

"We swear to God, our blood will be shed before the blood of our captives, and their pure blood will not dry before we shed the blood of the soldiers of Al Saud," the group said in a statement which was posted on Twitter and dated Tuesday.

"We will not enjoy life unless we get the necks of the Al Saud rulers."

Local media reported last week that Saudi authorities planned to execute more than 50 people convicted of "terrorist crimes".

The Saudi monarchy has faced a rise in militant attacks in the past year, with the Syria and Iraq-based Islamic State militant group claiming responsibility for a string of mosque bombings and shootings.

The only people executed for al Qaeda attacks in the kingdom, which killed hundreds in the last decade, were two men from Chad earlier this year.

Saudi carries out 146th execution this year

Saudi Arabia has executed at least 151 people this year, according to Amnesty International, many of them foreigners convicted of drug-related crimes.

The last time the kingdom carried out mass executions for security offences was after a group of militants seized Makkah's Grand Mosque in 1979.

COMMENTS (2)

Stranger | 8 years ago | Reply Geez and I thought AQ was the brainchild of KSA . if its Yes , then KSA seems to have created a frank-stein monster .
Beckie | 8 years ago | Reply Go ahead, their heads are no precious than any ordinary person.
Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ