RIYADH: A top Saudi security official said on Tuesday that police had arrested 88 men suspected of being part of an Al Qaeda cell that was plotting attacks both inside and outside the kingdom.

Interior Ministry spokesman Mansour al-Turki did not give details about the alleged plots, but said 59 of the men arrested had previously served prison sentences for similar offenses.

He said that Saudi security forces had monitored the group for months and learned about their plans. He said the arrests were made over the past several days and that Saudi forces “are serious in tracking down” anyone who joined a terrorist group.

“It is unfortunate that some of those who had completed their sentences and were released by court orders returned to their previous ways,” Mr al-Turki told reporters.

The police said three of the men were Yemeni nationals, one was still being identified and the rest were Saudis.

The announcement comes amid the advances made in Iraq and Syria by the Islamic State (IS) extremist group, formerly known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Al Sham, which has prompted Saudi Arabia to take harsher measures against sympathisers who could threaten the kingdom’s stability.

The kingdom made it illegal this year for its citizens to fight as militants abroad and for anyone to incite youth to fight in foreign countries.

Over the weekend, Saudi King Abdullah warned that extremists could attack Europe and the US if there was not a strong international response to terrorism. His remarks were believed to be in reference to the IS group’s offensive.

Saudi security officials began battling Al Qaeda militants around a decade ago when extremists launched a string of attacks in the kingdom aimed at toppling the monarchy. Saudi officials responded with a massive crackdown that saw many flee to neighbouring Yemen.

In the time since, the kingdom has not seen any massive attacks, though it has imprisoned suspected militants and sentenced others to death.

On Monday, a court in Riyadh ordered 17 people to serve sentences ranging from just under three years to 26 years in prison. The group was allegedly part of a 67-member cell whose members either fought in Iraq, facilitated travel for militants to fight there or helped finance terrorism. All have 30 days to appeal their sentences.

Also on Monday, the same court sentenced a Saudi preacher to five years in prison for allegedly praising and supporting the IS group and Al Qaeda during a recent sermon.

The Arab News reported that the preacher also called for attacks on Egypt’s security forces and on Saudis to release a woman Al Qaeda operative.

The defendant was banned from delivering sermons and from travelling abroad for five years after his release from prison. His lawyers plan to appeal.

Published in Dawn, September 3rd, 2014