Study: Saudi Arabia pioneer in fighting terrorism

A recent study published by Al Arabiya Institute for Studies said a recent Saudi law to combat terrorism and subsequent royal order against citizens fighting abroad has put the kingdom at the forefront in the global war on terror.

“Saudi Arabia is a world pioneer in the fight against domestic terrorism through preemptive security and intellectual approaches and through rehabilitation means,” the study said.

Saudi Arabia recently passed a law that heavily punishes members of extremist religious groups and anyone found guilty of providing “financial or morale support” for terrorist groups.

The kingdom’s ministries of interior, foreign affairs and justice have set up a joint committee to prepare a list of extremist groups that will be carefully monitored, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz, meanwhile, ordered on Feb. 3 the punishment of citizens found guilty of fighting in conflicts outside the kingdom with imprisonment ranging between three to 20 years.

Encouraged by influential preachers, many young Saudis have joined Syrian rebels and Islamist groups fighting President Bashar al-Assad.

A Saudi expert on Islamist movements told Al Arabiya News Channel last November that an estimated 600 Saudis have joined al-Qaeda-affiliated groups in Syria.

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* “Saudi Arabia combatting terrorism” by Hani Nesira, manager of Al Arabiya Institute for Studies.