Abu Dhabi: As Saudi Arabia continues to deploy a comprehensive and well-resourced counter terrorism strategy that included vigilant security measures, regional and international cooperation, and measures to counter terrorist radicalisation and recruitment, the toll free telephone number 990 plays a crucial role in its war on terrorism, local media reported.
The number has contributed to thwarting many terrorist operations during the past years, preventing terrorists from using 49 tons of explosives that were seized, and busting dozens of terrorist groups, which targeted security and stability of the Kingdom, Al Waqtan reported.
Immediate reporting
The Security Reporting Center and the number 990 aims to extend bridges between the State Security and the General Investigation, on the hand, and people, on the other hand, to immediately report any suspicious places, in which there may be terrorists, wanted persons, terrorist cells, suspicious or radicalised persons.
According to official data, State Security received in 2018 20,116 reports via the number 990.
The State Security revealed to Al Watan some 233 terrorist operations were thwarted during the past 38 years, from 1979 to 2017, while terrorist organisations carried out 841 operations inside the country, and its interests abroad were targeted by 22 operations on diplomatic and economic bodies.
“As many as 3,340 including 333 officers were martyred in terrorist attacks, while 695 terrorists were killed and 346 wounded, the official figures showed.
Following are The most prominent terrorist operations foiled in 4 years:
July 4, 2016
A suicide attack targeting the Prophet’s Mosque
October 11, 2016
Plan to blow up Al Jawhara Stadium
March 2015
Suicide attempt targeting the American embassy in Riyadh
April 22, 2019
A terrorist operation targeting a security point in Al Zulfi Governorate, killing 4 terrorists and arresting 13 persons who planned to carry out terrorist attacks
April 7, 2019
A pre-emptive operation in Al Qatif that confronted 4 wanted terrorists, on the Abu Darya road, who were intending to carry out a terrorist act
May 11, 2019
Eliminating a terrorist cell consisting of 8 elements in the Qatif Governorate that was planning to carry out terrorist operations
January 2019
Raiding a terrorist den in Qatif, east of the Kingdom, thwarting a criminal plot, and eliminating 6 terrorists
December 2019
The elimination of two wanted terrorists in Dammam and the arrest of a third, who were planning to carry out terrorist acts
September 2020
The overthrow of a terrorist cell whose operatives received military training inside Revolutionary Guard sites in Iran
Rewards for reporting via the number 990:
One million riyals for anyone who reports a wanted person or terrorist element
SR5 million for those who provide information leading to the arrest of a group of wanted persons
SR7 million for each of those who contribute to thwarting a terrorist act.
