Christians Under Attack

Saudi Arabia. According to diplomatic sources they were shot dead on a road linking archaeological ruins at Madain Saleh and Medina on Monday morning. According to Radio Sawa, armed men in a vehicle opened fire against a group made up of eight French tourists who were near Tabik, on the Madain Saleh-Medina road. There are believed to be some Muslims among the group.
British and American officials say they do not believe their nationals were involved in the shooting and French diplomats have not been reached for comment. There has been no comment to date from the Saudi interior ministry.

In the latest issue of the on-line magazine of the Saudi cell of al-Qaeda, the Voice of Jihad, the group specifically spoke of cleansing the area of unbelievers and US bases.

"The aim of the Mujahadeen will be to purify the peninsula from pagans and the crusader [US] bases" said the editorial. "For some time we have been preparing important operations which will make the crusader bases on the Arabian peninsula tremble," it added.

After more than a year's absence, the monthly of Jihad propaganda reappeared on Islamist extremist internet forums on 8 February.