IS claims attack on Saudi security base

Attack kills 4 men and wounds three policemen

RIYADH: Four men were killed on Sunday in an attack on a Saudi security services base north of the capital Riyadh, official media said, as the militant Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the assault.

Quoting a spokesperson for the state security services, the Saudi Press Agency said three policemen were also wounded in the morning attack in the Zulfi province north of Riyadh.

It said a "group of militants" tried to "storm the building" but security authorities repelled them, killing four.

An investigation was launched to identify the assailants as well as the type of 'explosive material' they had in their possession, SPA said.



The London-based Asharq al Awsat newspaper earlier reported that the attack targeted state security forces in the town of Zulfi, 260 kilometres north of the capital.

It said the attackers had rammed a vehicle into a security barrier around the base in an attempt to gain entry.

Two gunmen then stepped out of the vehicle and opened fire, sparking a gun battle with police, who killed them, the paper reported.

A third was gunned down as he attempted to flee while a fourth died as he tried to set off an explosive belt, the paper said.

The Saudi-owned satellite channel al Arabiya also reported four people died during an attack, but gave no details.



The kingdom has seen numerous attacks in recent years by militants including al Qaeda and IS, against security forces. It has also seen clashes between militants and security forces in the eastern provinces.

On April 7, two men armed with explosives were killed and two others arrested as they attacked a security checkpoint in eastern Saudi Arabia, which has seen years of demonstrations against the royal family.