RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Authorities in eastern Saudi Arabia have shot and killed a suspected Saudi militant and arrested four others, an Interior Ministry spokesman said Tuesday.
The incident occurred after an attack Monday on a U.S. diplomatic car in the Red Sea port city of Jiddah (search). The car, carrying U.S. Marine and a Saudi driver, was shot at but no one was injured, according to the U.S. Embassy and a Saudi security official.
The announcement Tuesday said security forces were searching two locations in the eastern city of Ihsa, when a car carrying four people passed a security checkpoint and drove toward the forces.
The car was fired upon, killing one and wounding the three others, who were arrested.
A fourth suspect was also arrested at a different location.
U.S. Consulate workers in Jiddah were advised to limit their movement pending further notice.
A warden message issued by the embassy on Monday reiterated calls on American citizens to leave the kingdom and advice to those who remain to "maintain a high level of vigilance and increased security awareness."
Since May 2003, Islamic militants have carried out numerous homicide bombings and kidnappings, and have engaged regularly in gunbattles with security forces. The attacks, which have tended to target foreign workers, have been blamed on the Al Qaeda (search) terror group and allied militants.
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