Posted by NEWS on 1/11/2004, 19:38:11 Abdulrahman Mohammed al-Yazji also told the group's Web magazine, Saut al-Jihad, that killing security force members was "a bridge to heaven" in the campaign to rid the cradle of Islam of "infidels" and topple the Saudi royal family. Security forces have cracked down on militants waging a 17-month campaign of violence in Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil exporter and a regional U.S. ally. Authorities say they have broken the back of al Qaeda in the kingdom by capturing or killing 17 people on a list of 26 most wanted militants, including the group's leader Abdulaziz al-Muqrin, who was killed in June. "His (Muqrin's) death only increases our determination and drive to continue our holy war and to avenge our brothers. There are hundreds like him who have made a vow to expel the crusaders," Yazji said. "As for the soldiers of the tyrants, if you stand in the way of the mujahideen (holy fighters) then your fate will be death and hell," the 29-year-old fugitive said, adding that killing a member of the security forces was "a bridge to heaven." Yazji said he had trained in Kashmir, Afghanistan and with al Qaeda militants in Saudi Arabia who waged a campaign of suicide bombings and shootings since May 2003. More than 170 people have been killed since then in the attacks in the Gulf state and clashes between gunmen and police. In a separate message, wanted militant Saud Humoud al-Oteibi denied government claims that militants were pressuring young men into joining their 'jihad' (holy war). "There was no compulsion. Everyone who joined the mujahideen did so of their own free will. It is the government who is forcing sheikhs to say things against the mujahideen," he said in an audiotape posted on an Islamist Web site, also accusing police of using torture to extract confessions. Saudi media have often paraded repentent militants on television, as well as prominent preachers once known for extremist views who now attack the radical activists.
Saudi Militant Says Qaeda Cell Still Strong - Web
DUBAI (Reuters) - Al Qaeda's wing in Saudi Arabia is still strong despite government statements that it had been crushed in a widespread security clampdown, a top wanted militant said.
© Reuters 2004.
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