Saudi authorities have arrested 28 suspected Al-Qaeda militants, the Ministry of Interior announced today.

In a statement, the Ministry said that the suspects planned to carry out attacks on Saudi Arabia and that they have been linked to militants abroad.

The suspects were arrested in simultaneous operations in Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh and the Northern Border Province since December 15. Twenty-seven of the suspects are Saudi and one is an expatriate, the Ministry said. Investigations remain ongoing.

On December 21, the Ministry announced that Saudi authorities foiled a terrorist attack on holy sites outside Makkah. The plot aimed to create confusion among security forces and interfere with the annual Hajj pilgrimage, according to spokesman Maj. Gen. Mansour Al-Turki.

Security operations earlier this year resulted in the arrests of 208 suspected militants who planned a series of imminent attacks, including one on an oil installation and a number of assassinations.

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