Jeddah jolt

Although Saudi Arabia has had its own 9/11 (in May 2004) this is perhaps the most high profile target, it being the first western mission to be taken on by the terrorists as yet. The Saudis have linked the perpetrators to the al-Qaeda, referred to as the deviant group by them.

Since May 2004 many hundreds of suspected al-Qaeda supporters have been rounded up and dozens have been killed. Yet the spate of bombings seem to have gained in sophistication and intensity.

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It is difficult to ascertain the purpose behind the latest attack but there is no doubt that it manifests a distinct anti-US sentiment that many carry on their sleeves in most part of the world. The US president's remarks following the attack sum up perhaps the motivations of the militants behind these attacks.

The attack indicates that the al-Qaeda is far from being made ineffective. And, given the fact that it was conducted in a country where the security forces are in a constant state of high alert, the al-Qaeda tentacles appear to be rather penetrative.

We condemn brazen acts of violence that result in the deaths of innocent civilians under whatever pretext these are carried out.

However, there is much merit in the remarks, unfortunate though these are, that even Saudi Arabia is "incapable of quelling the massive groundswell of anger and hatred towards the West engendered by the US-led invasion of Iraq and the Israel-Palestinian conflict that triggers such attacks."