Saudi Arabia arrests 93 suspects mostly linked to IS, says attacks foiled

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has arrested 93 suspects, most of them linked to IS, and has foiled several plots to carry out attacks across the kingdom, authorities said Tuesday.

The arrests have taken place since December and most of those detained were Saudis, the interior ministry said in a statement published by the official news agency SPA.

Security services had proof that led to the "early uncovering of terrorist activities in several parts of the kingdom by members of the group", the statement said.

Among those held is a 65-strong IS-linked group plotting to target "residential areas, and operations to incite sectarian sedition" in attacks similar to the killing of seven members of the minority Shia community in Eastern Province in November, it said.

The group includes a Palestinian, a Syrian and two stateless people, it added.

Authorities said they have also arrested two Syrians and a Saudi who had threatened to launch a suicide car attack against the American embassy in Riyadh last month.

US consular services in Saudi Arabia were suspended for a week in March over "heightened security concerns".