Special to WorldTribune.com

ABU DHABI — Saudi Arabia has reported fresh battles with
Iranian-backed Shi’ite insurgents.

Officials said police came under fire from suspected Shi’ite fighters in
the oil-rich Eastern Province in late April. They said a Shi’ite fugitive
and organizer, identified as Abdullah Al Asri, was captured.

“Security forces will not hesitate to pursue fugitives,” Saudi Interior
Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Mansour Al Turki said.

Al Turki said Al Asri was one of a list of 23 Shi’ite fugitives linked
to unrest in Awamiya, which has seen more than a dozen attacks and clashes with security forces over the last year. He said Al Asri and another suspect were shot in the leg during a battle with police.

Officials said Saudi security forces have intensified their search for
Iranian-backed Shi’ite insurgents. They said 12 members of the Interior
Ministry’s fugitive list have been captured.

Hours after the shootout, the police station in Awamiya was attacked by
suspected Shi’ite gunmen. Officials said one police officer was injured and
later underwent surgery.

The Saudi media said Al Asri, 20, was also wanted for drug trafficking.
He was described as being linked to a leading Shi’ite cleric, Nimr Al Nimr,
who allegedly helped organize the anti-government protests around Awamiya in
2011.

  Abdullah Al Asri, Awamiya, Maj. Gen. Mansour Al Turki, Nimr Al Nimr, Saudis report new fire fights with Iran-backed Shi’ite fugitives