Saudi Militant Blows Himself Up During Meeting with Anti-Terror Chief

Strategic Insights -

A Saudi militant who attacked the kingdom's anti-terror chief after pretending to surrender blew himself up while the official was on the phone reassuring another terrorist in Yemen that it would be safe to return home. The disclosure was made by the Interior Ministry in a statement that offered a strange twist to an already surprising story. The events that led up to the attack began when Yemen-based Saudi militant, Abdullah Hassan Tali Assi-ri, got in touch with authorities, saying he wanted to turn himself into Prince Mohammad bin Nayef.

Key Takeaways:

  • The wanted Saudi militant, Abdullah Hassan Tali Assi-ri, blew himself up during a meeting with Prince Mohammad bin Nayef, the kingdom's anti-terror chief.
  • The attack occurred while the prince was on the phone reassuring another terrorist in Yemen that it would be safe to return home.
  • Assiri was on the country's most-wanted list and had been in touch with authorities, saying he wanted to surrender.
  • Prince Mohammad bin Nayef had received Assiri at his home in Jeddah, and the two had been in a meeting to discuss the possibility of other militants surrendering.
  • The prince had ordered guards not to search Assiri when he arrived, in an effort to encourage other wanted militants to come forward.
  • The Yemen-based Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula has claimed responsibility for the attack, identifying Assiri as the bomber.
  • The prince was lightly hurt in the attack, while Assiri died in the explosion.
  • The ministry statement said investigations have uncovered more details about the attack that will not be revealed at this time for security reasons.
  • The attack was the first major setback to the kingdom's anti-terror efforts, led by Prince Mohammad, since February 2006 when suicide bombers tried but failed to attack an oil facility.

Statistics:

  • The explosion claimed the life of the 24-year-old militant, Abdullah Hassan Tali Assi-ri.
  • The attack occurred on Thursday, while Prince Mohammad bin Nayef was on the phone reassuring another terrorist in Yemen that it would be safe to return home.
  • The Saudi Interior Ministry released a statement that offered a strange twist to an already surprising story.
  • The profile of Assiri released by the Interior Ministry said the militant was born in Riyadh and received self-defense training from an Al-Qaeda cell.
  • The list of suspects for the attack includes 83 Saudis and 2 Yemenis living abroad, who were released in February.

Sources:

  • Daily Star, "Saudi militant blown up at meeting with anti-terror chief," published by The Associated Press, Tuesday.
  • Saudi Interior Ministry, statement published in the Daily Star, Tuesday.
  • Saudi TV, aired a taped phone conversation between Assiri and the prince on Tuesday.
  • Al-Arabiya television network, quoted an expert as saying that the method of concealment aimed the blast away from the target, while blowing the bomber to bits.
  • The Daily Star, "Saudi most-wanted list includes 83 Saudis and 2 Yemenis," published February 2009.