Terror attack warning in Saudi Arabia

The United States warned today of new attacks on westerners’ housing complexes in the Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh, claiming one compound had been under surveillance by terrorists.

US Embassy spokeswoman Carol Kalin said the Seder Village compound in Riyadh had been under “active surveillance” by terrorists and that other housing complexes may also have been targeted.

The warning comes days after the British Embassy in Riyadh renewed its travel warning on Saudi Arabia, advising Britons against all but essential travel to the kingdom.

Militants attacked three compounds for foreigners in Riyadh in May, detonating vehicle bombs that killed 35 people including the nine bombers. Another suicide attack killed 17 people in the capital on November 8.

Kalin said the embassy had barred its American employees and dependants from visiting housing compounds in Riyadh between the hours of 6 pm and 6am, “except for official business”.

Kalin said the embassy introduced the restriction following “ongoing consultations with Saudi officials”.

She said the embassy was renewing “its advice for Americans to remain vigilant and follow prudent security procedures”.

There are some 30,000 Americans living in the kingdom. The US Embassy is scheduled to resume work tomorrow following a weeklong closure for a Muslim feast.