[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Got this:

A statement purportedly from al Qaeda, posted on Islamist Web sites, claimed responsibility for the Khobar attack.

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Saudi Commandos Raid Compound Where Hostages Held
Sat May 29, 2004 11:07 PM ET

KHOBAR, Saudi Arabia (Reuters) - Dozens of Saudi commandos raided a housing compound in the eastern oil city of Khobar on Sunday in a bid to free some 50 foreign hostages held by suspected al Qaeda militants.

Witnesses saw members of the special forces dropping from three twin-bladed military helicopters onto the roof of a building in the compound amid gunfire.

The building is believed to be the one where up to five militants are holding the hostages, who were seized during attacks on Saturday and include Americans and other Westerners. They are believed to be held on the sixth floor.

The militants holed up in the Oasis compound after killing at least nine Saudis and seven foreigners in attacks on Saturday on complexes housing Western oil firms and expatriates.

Security sources had said the building where the hostages are being held had been booby-trapped. Ambulances and fire engines stood ready at the site.

The assault on compounds housing the expatriates was likely to rattle oil markets and dent confidence in the kingdom's grip on security as it battles militants loyal to Saudi-born al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.

A statement purportedly from al Qaeda, posted on Islamist Web sites, claimed responsibility for the Khobar attack.

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[Armedanddangerous]

I kind of thought the terrorists had gotten away from the whole taking hostages in a barricade situation kind of deal? I hadn't heard of anyone doing that in a long time.

Wouldn't they have figured by now that with all the high speed hostage rescue teams out there it was a no-win sitation?

The question is, does this show despiration on their part or a tendancy to be continually trying new things?

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Details:

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'Qaeda' Statement Claims Saudi Khobar Attack-Site
Sat May 29, 2004 06:01 AM ET

DUBAI (Reuters) - Al Qaeda, in a purported statement carried on an Islamist Web site, claimed Saturday's attack on expatriate housing compounds and oil companies in the Saudi city of al-Khobar in which at least five foreigners were killed.

"With the grace of God, a squadron of our heroic mujahideen have today stormed American companies... that are specialized in oil and which steal the wealth of Muslims," said the statement which was signed by the "al Qaeda network in the Arabian Peninsula."

The Islamist Web site, run by a Saudi dissident, has carried similar statements in the past.

[Dr. Eckleburg]

"building...booby-trapped."

That's not good.