Saudi busts cell targeting World Cup football match

Saudi Arabia has arrested eight people suspected of planning separate attacks targeting security forces and a World Cup qualifying football match.

The Saudi Interior Ministry said on Sunday authorities foiled the plots and dismantled two "terrorist" cells.

Four of those detained were Saudis who had allegedly received instructions from an ISIL leader in Syria to kill security officers in the Shaqra district, north of the capital Riyadh, it said, adding all suspects had confessed.

The ministry said the second plot involved a car bombing at the football match between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates at a stadium in the city of Jeddah on October 11.

It said two Pakistanis, a Syrian and a Sudanese national were arrested over that plot. It was not immediately clear if the bomb plot involved ISIL as well.

In another statement, the interior ministry published a list of nine suspects - eight Saudis and a Bahraini - wanted for their alleged involvement in "terrorist" acts in the eastern provinces of Qatif and Dammam, home to most of the kingdom's Shia minority population.

The suspects were allegedly involved in attacks against civilians and members of the security forces, the statement said.

It urged the suspects to surrender and offered financial rewards for those who could provide information leading to their arrests.

Source: Aje