Shi'ite rebels report capture of Saudi army post
Monday, December 14, 2009 E-Mail this story Free Headline Alerts
CAIRO Ñ Shi'ite rebels said they captured an outpost of the Saudi Army along the Yemeni border.
The Believing Youth, known to be sponsored by Iran, announced that Shi'ite fighters captured a Saudi military facility along the Yemeni border. The Shi'ite rebels were said to have attacked the Al Jabri military post on Dec. 9, forcing hundreds of Saudi soldiers to flee.
"We are in full control of the Al Jabri Saudi military post," the Believing Youth said on Dec. 11.
Saudi Arabia has denied the Shi'ite capture of an army post. A Saudi military source said the military has been capturing Shi'ite operatives, including women seeking to infiltrate the Arab kingdom.
The Believing Youth said the Shi'ite rebel attack forced 200 Saudi soldiers to flee from Al Jabri. The movement said the rebels captured army vehicles as well as surveillance and communications systems.
In December, Saudi Deputy Defense Minister Prince Khaled Bin Sultan acknowledged that Shi'ite rebels captured and occupied two Saudi villages along the Yemeni border for nearly a month. Khaled's statement was issued after Saudi military spokespeople denied Believing Youth gains in the kingdom.
The Believing Youth said the rebel capture of Al Jabri marked another front in the war against Saudi Arabia. The movement said the rebels have gained control over areas of Mount Dukhan west of Al Jabri.
The rebels said Saudi Army units have been sent to retake Al Jabri. The units were said to have been supported by air strikes.
Saudi Arabia has reported a huge influx of Shi'ites and other infiltrators from Yemen in December. The Saudi-owned A-Sharq Al Aswat daily said 1,805 infiltrators have been captured in the first 10 days of December.
"No infiltrator is able to get close to the Saudi border, and anybody who wants to get close has no [option] other than surrender or death," a Saudi military source said.