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01/28/2004 Archived Entry: "Smouldering rebellion against Saudi rule threatens to set country ablaze"

Posted by steve @ 06:58 PM EST [Link]

PROBLEMS FOR THE SAUDI ROYAL FAMILY: John R. Bradley reports that discontent with the Saudi royal family has provoked a minor uprising in Sakaka, a city that borders Iraq. Both Islamic militants and those more tolerant, such as Shias who have been persecuted by the Wahhabist loving family, are causing big problems.

The tiny city of Sakaka, the capital of Saudi Arabia's remote al-Jouf province that borders Iraq, may seem an unlikely setting for the beginning of a popular, violent revolution against the ruling Saud family. But you do not have to spend too long here to realise this is what is happening.

Al-Jouf has been witness to an extraordinary level of political violence in recent months. The deputy governor, say locals, was assassinated. Also killed was the police chief and the region's top Sharia court judge. Seven men have been arrested. Saudi officials admit the attacks are linked and that the seven may have been aided by as many as 40 others.

Read on.