Atentados consumados à pouco na zona do Golfo
Enviado: 9/11/2003 1:51avisaram e... está a confirmar-se com atentados na capital da Arábia Saudita.... até agora infelizmente com dezenas de mortos e feridos:
3 notícias de seguida... as 2 1ª antes do atentado e a 3ª sobre o atentado:
Britain warns of terror threats
Saturday, November 8, 2003 Posted: 1:26 PM EST (1826 GMT)
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (CNN) -- The British government is warning of "high threats" of terrorism against Westerners and other targets in the Gulf-Arab nations of Bahrain and Qatar.
Eyewitnesses in Bahrain confirmed to CNN that there is a tightening of security around the British Embassy and other Western sites. But a British Embassy spokeswoman said security has not been increased and security personnel are following normal procedures.
On Friday, the U.S. Embassy and consulates in Saudi Arabia were ordered closed temporarily because of concerns that terrorists may be planning to launch an attack inside the kingdom.
In travel alerts Saturday on the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office Web site, it says "We judge that there is a high threat from terrorism against Western, including British, targets.
"We are particularly concerned about potential threats to places where Westerners might gather. You should review your security arrangements carefully. You should remain vigilant, particularly in public places."
The alerts said "developments in Iraq and on the Middle East peace process continue to have an impact on local public opinion in the region and this might be expressed by some people.
"You should follow news reports and be alert to regional developments. You should take sensible precautions for your personal safety and avoid public gatherings and demonstrations."
The British government has also issued lower-level terror alerts for Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, saying there are "significant" threats of terror in those countries.
An advisory put out Friday by the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh explained that the embassy "continues to receive credible information that terrorists in Saudi Arabia have moved from the planning to operational phase of planned attacks in the kingdom."
The closures affect the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh and consulates in Jeddah and Dhahran. The advisory said they would be closed Saturday. One State Department official said they would remain closed Sunday and Monday.
The intelligence does not suggest any specific target or time, but officials said they assume American diplomatic and military facilities in Saudi Arabia would be high on terrorists' list of desired targets.
Officials said the intelligence includes "chatter on Web sites" and comments on publicly released audiotapes of al Qaeda leaders, as well as other information that has been gathered.
Another reason for concern about possible attacks, U.S. officials said, is that the Muslim holy month of Ramadan began last week.
The U.S. government has been working with Saudi authorities to fight terror since the triple bombings in May that targeted apartment complexes housing Westerners. Those bombings left 23 people dead, including nine Americans. Twelve bombers were also killed.
During the closures, U.S. diplomats will be reviewing security measures, explained the official.
Americans in the country will be informed when the review is done and the U.S. mission plans to go back to normal operations, the advisory said.
Also this week, the State Department warned of threats of anti-American violence in the Middle East and North Africa, "including terrorist actions that may involve commercial aircraft and maritime interests."
The public announcement specifically mentioned the risk of such actions in the Middle East, including the Red Sea area, the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Peninsula and North Africa.
And it reminded Americans about the terrorist threat in Southeast Asia, especially urging them to avoid the Malaysian state of Sabah.
----------------------------------
U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia closing after threats
Mission points to 'credible information' warning of terrorism
From Andrea Koppel
Saturday, November 8, 2003 Posted: 10:15 AM EST (1515 GMT)
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The U.S. Embassy and consulates in Saudi Arabia have been ordered closed temporarily because of concerns that terrorists are planning to launch an attack inside the kingdom, the State Department said Friday.
An advisory released Friday by the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh explained that the embassy "continues to receive credible information that terrorists in Saudi Arabia have moved from the planning to operational phase of planned attacks in the kingdom."
The British Embassy in Bahrain on Saturday warned its personnel of a terror attack threat. Bahrain comprises a collection of islands in the Persian Gulf, east of Saudi Arabia.
The U.S. State Department's closures affect the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh and consulates in Jeddah and Dhahran. The advisory said the facilities would be closed Saturday. One State Department official said the facilities would remain closed on Sunday and Monday.
"The embassy strongly urges all American citizens in Saudi Arabia to be especially vigilant when they're in any area perceived to be American or Western," State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said.
He said Washington is waiting for the embassy to report back "with their analysis of the security situation and their analysis of their ability to deal with the situation there to protect our people."
Boucher said the "situation has been dangerous, perilous for Americans in Saudi Arabia" and the U.S. government has been working with Saudi authorities since the triple bombings in May that targeted apartment complexes housing Westerners.
Those bombings left 23 people dead, including nine Americans. Twelve bombers were also killed in the attacks.
Saturday and Sunday are regular work days in Saudi Arabia. During the closures, U.S. diplomats will be reviewing security measures, explained the official.
Americans in the country will be informed when the review is done and the U.S. mission plans to go back to normal operations, the advisory said.
On Thursday, the State Department warned of threats of anti-American violence in the Middle East and North Africa, "including terrorist actions that may involve commercial aircraft and maritime interests."
The public announcement specifically mentioned the risk of such actions in the Middle East, including the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Peninsula and North Africa.
"Credible information has indicated terrorist groups may be planning attacks against U.S. interests in the Middle East," the announcement said. "Terrorist actions may include suicide operations, bombings, hijackings or kidnappings."
---------------------------------------
Explosions rock Saudi capital
Report: At least 100 killed or injured
Saturday, November 8, 2003 Posted: 7:21 PM EST (0021 GMT)
(CNN) -- Three loud explosions rocked an affluent residential neighborhood in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday, one day after the U.S. Embassy announced it would close temporarily over concerns of rising terror threats.
As many as 28 people were killed and 100 wounded -- many of them children -- in the compound where the blasts were centered, diplomatic sources told journalists.
At least two dozen ambulances rushed to the Al-Muhaya compound -- villas housing several hundred residents -- where a large plume of smoke was seen, journalists said.
No U.S. government officials live in the compound -- which lies about three miles from the U.S. Embassy in western Riyadh. The State Department does not believe any Americans were involved, sources said.
Hanadi Fundouqli, manager of the Al-Muhaya compound, said all but four of the residents are Arabs. The four are from Italy, Germany, and France, she said.
Saudi business sources told CNN the compound was about a mile from the homes of several top members of Saudi Arabia's ruling family.
The explosions happened at a time when many of the adult residents were away from their homes because of the Ramadan observances, leaving a large number of children in the compound, Fundouqli said.
Raid Qusti, Riyadh bureau chief for the Arab News daily newspaper, said he heard the blast, then ambulance and police sirens. He added that witnesses reported hearing gunfire before the explosion.
The blasts ripped through a complex housing mainly Arabs.
The U.S. Embassy and consulates in Saudi Arabia said Friday that they would be closed Saturday to at least Monday because of concerns that terrorists were planning an attack in the kingdom.
An advisory released Friday by the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh said the embassy "continues to receive credible information that terrorists in Saudi Arabia have moved from the planning to operational phase of planned attacks in the kingdom."
Before the explosion Saturday, the British Embassy in Bahrain warned its personnel of the threat of a terror attack. Bahrain is an island nation in the Persian Gulf, east of Saudi Arabia.
The U.S. State Department's closures affect the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh and consulates in Jeddah and Dhahran.
Saturday and Sunday are regular work days in Saudi Arabia.
3 notícias de seguida... as 2 1ª antes do atentado e a 3ª sobre o atentado:
Britain warns of terror threats
Saturday, November 8, 2003 Posted: 1:26 PM EST (1826 GMT)
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (CNN) -- The British government is warning of "high threats" of terrorism against Westerners and other targets in the Gulf-Arab nations of Bahrain and Qatar.
Eyewitnesses in Bahrain confirmed to CNN that there is a tightening of security around the British Embassy and other Western sites. But a British Embassy spokeswoman said security has not been increased and security personnel are following normal procedures.
On Friday, the U.S. Embassy and consulates in Saudi Arabia were ordered closed temporarily because of concerns that terrorists may be planning to launch an attack inside the kingdom.
In travel alerts Saturday on the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office Web site, it says "We judge that there is a high threat from terrorism against Western, including British, targets.
"We are particularly concerned about potential threats to places where Westerners might gather. You should review your security arrangements carefully. You should remain vigilant, particularly in public places."
The alerts said "developments in Iraq and on the Middle East peace process continue to have an impact on local public opinion in the region and this might be expressed by some people.
"You should follow news reports and be alert to regional developments. You should take sensible precautions for your personal safety and avoid public gatherings and demonstrations."
The British government has also issued lower-level terror alerts for Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, saying there are "significant" threats of terror in those countries.
An advisory put out Friday by the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh explained that the embassy "continues to receive credible information that terrorists in Saudi Arabia have moved from the planning to operational phase of planned attacks in the kingdom."
The closures affect the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh and consulates in Jeddah and Dhahran. The advisory said they would be closed Saturday. One State Department official said they would remain closed Sunday and Monday.
The intelligence does not suggest any specific target or time, but officials said they assume American diplomatic and military facilities in Saudi Arabia would be high on terrorists' list of desired targets.
Officials said the intelligence includes "chatter on Web sites" and comments on publicly released audiotapes of al Qaeda leaders, as well as other information that has been gathered.
Another reason for concern about possible attacks, U.S. officials said, is that the Muslim holy month of Ramadan began last week.
The U.S. government has been working with Saudi authorities to fight terror since the triple bombings in May that targeted apartment complexes housing Westerners. Those bombings left 23 people dead, including nine Americans. Twelve bombers were also killed.
During the closures, U.S. diplomats will be reviewing security measures, explained the official.
Americans in the country will be informed when the review is done and the U.S. mission plans to go back to normal operations, the advisory said.
Also this week, the State Department warned of threats of anti-American violence in the Middle East and North Africa, "including terrorist actions that may involve commercial aircraft and maritime interests."
The public announcement specifically mentioned the risk of such actions in the Middle East, including the Red Sea area, the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Peninsula and North Africa.
And it reminded Americans about the terrorist threat in Southeast Asia, especially urging them to avoid the Malaysian state of Sabah.
----------------------------------
U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia closing after threats
Mission points to 'credible information' warning of terrorism
From Andrea Koppel
Saturday, November 8, 2003 Posted: 10:15 AM EST (1515 GMT)
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The U.S. Embassy and consulates in Saudi Arabia have been ordered closed temporarily because of concerns that terrorists are planning to launch an attack inside the kingdom, the State Department said Friday.
An advisory released Friday by the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh explained that the embassy "continues to receive credible information that terrorists in Saudi Arabia have moved from the planning to operational phase of planned attacks in the kingdom."
The British Embassy in Bahrain on Saturday warned its personnel of a terror attack threat. Bahrain comprises a collection of islands in the Persian Gulf, east of Saudi Arabia.
The U.S. State Department's closures affect the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh and consulates in Jeddah and Dhahran. The advisory said the facilities would be closed Saturday. One State Department official said the facilities would remain closed on Sunday and Monday.
"The embassy strongly urges all American citizens in Saudi Arabia to be especially vigilant when they're in any area perceived to be American or Western," State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said.
He said Washington is waiting for the embassy to report back "with their analysis of the security situation and their analysis of their ability to deal with the situation there to protect our people."
Boucher said the "situation has been dangerous, perilous for Americans in Saudi Arabia" and the U.S. government has been working with Saudi authorities since the triple bombings in May that targeted apartment complexes housing Westerners.
Those bombings left 23 people dead, including nine Americans. Twelve bombers were also killed in the attacks.
Saturday and Sunday are regular work days in Saudi Arabia. During the closures, U.S. diplomats will be reviewing security measures, explained the official.
Americans in the country will be informed when the review is done and the U.S. mission plans to go back to normal operations, the advisory said.
On Thursday, the State Department warned of threats of anti-American violence in the Middle East and North Africa, "including terrorist actions that may involve commercial aircraft and maritime interests."
The public announcement specifically mentioned the risk of such actions in the Middle East, including the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Peninsula and North Africa.
"Credible information has indicated terrorist groups may be planning attacks against U.S. interests in the Middle East," the announcement said. "Terrorist actions may include suicide operations, bombings, hijackings or kidnappings."
---------------------------------------
Explosions rock Saudi capital
Report: At least 100 killed or injured
Saturday, November 8, 2003 Posted: 7:21 PM EST (0021 GMT)
(CNN) -- Three loud explosions rocked an affluent residential neighborhood in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday, one day after the U.S. Embassy announced it would close temporarily over concerns of rising terror threats.
As many as 28 people were killed and 100 wounded -- many of them children -- in the compound where the blasts were centered, diplomatic sources told journalists.
At least two dozen ambulances rushed to the Al-Muhaya compound -- villas housing several hundred residents -- where a large plume of smoke was seen, journalists said.
No U.S. government officials live in the compound -- which lies about three miles from the U.S. Embassy in western Riyadh. The State Department does not believe any Americans were involved, sources said.
Hanadi Fundouqli, manager of the Al-Muhaya compound, said all but four of the residents are Arabs. The four are from Italy, Germany, and France, she said.
Saudi business sources told CNN the compound was about a mile from the homes of several top members of Saudi Arabia's ruling family.
The explosions happened at a time when many of the adult residents were away from their homes because of the Ramadan observances, leaving a large number of children in the compound, Fundouqli said.
Raid Qusti, Riyadh bureau chief for the Arab News daily newspaper, said he heard the blast, then ambulance and police sirens. He added that witnesses reported hearing gunfire before the explosion.
The blasts ripped through a complex housing mainly Arabs.
The U.S. Embassy and consulates in Saudi Arabia said Friday that they would be closed Saturday to at least Monday because of concerns that terrorists were planning an attack in the kingdom.
An advisory released Friday by the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh said the embassy "continues to receive credible information that terrorists in Saudi Arabia have moved from the planning to operational phase of planned attacks in the kingdom."
Before the explosion Saturday, the British Embassy in Bahrain warned its personnel of the threat of a terror attack. Bahrain is an island nation in the Persian Gulf, east of Saudi Arabia.
The U.S. State Department's closures affect the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh and consulates in Jeddah and Dhahran.
Saturday and Sunday are regular work days in Saudi Arabia.