US Consulate in Saudi stormed

[Matabiri]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4071387.stm

"Gunmen are holding a number of hostages after storming the US consulate in the Saudi city of Jeddah.

Saudi security forces are reported to be fighting to regain control of the compound, and flames and smoke can be seen rising from the compound."

Anyone know what's going on?

[Matabiri]

Okay, here's some more: http://www.reuters.co.uk/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=633590

"A Western executive, quoting officials inside the building, said attackers infiltrated the complex and threw hand grenades. "Several men breached U.S. and Saudi security and lobbed one or several grenades at the building," he said.

Security sources and Kalin said they could not confirm if the attack was caused by a car bomb or grenades.

"The embassy in Riyadh and the missions in Jeddah and Dhahran have been closed as a precaution. We are still trying to gather information," Kalin said."

[Nikk]

These guys certainly don't flinch from choosing the hard targets in order to make a point do they?

I wonder if they had inside help as the compound is supposed to be very well gaurded.

[Matabiri]

Originally posted by Nikk
These guys certainly don't flinch from choosing the hard targets in order to make a point do they?

Well, if you're going to martyr yourself, you either have to do it spectacularly, or in an utterly hopeless (and hence newsworthy) way...

[Nikk]

Originally posted by Matabiri
Well, if you're going to martyr yourself, you either have to do it spectacularly, or in an utterly hopeless (and hence newsworthy) way...

But if you choose a well guarded target there usually is a high chance of failure.

There must be any number of targets such as residential areas, offices schools etc which are less well protected than the US consulate but which would still get ample publicity.

[Matabiri]

Originally posted by Nikk
There must be any number of targets such as residential areas, offices schools etc which are less well protected than the US consulate but which would still get ample publicity.

Maybe they've started caring about "civilian casualties". Have a mind for your public, and all.