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Saudi foils IS plot to bomb defence ministry building; says spy ring busted

The dual announcements early on Tuesday show the security challenges facing the Kingdom

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia. Photo: Reuters

AP | PTI Riyadh
Saudi Arabia says it has broken up an Islamic State group plot to use a suicide bomb against Defense Ministry offices, while separately dismantling an alleged spy ring.

The dual announcements early today show the security challenges facing the kingdom, now fighting its war in Yemen and embroiled in a diplomatic dispute with Qatar.

The state-run Saudi Press Agency said two Yemenis in Riyadh had been arrested on suspicion of wanting to bomb Defense Ministry locations. The statement also said two Saudi nationals were arrested and suicide belts and other weapons were seized.

The statement was vaguer about the spy ring, saying the cell was made up of "Saudis and foreigners" who wanted to "stir up sedition and prejudice national unity.

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First Published: Sep 12 2017 | 11:01 AM IST

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