UAE Busts Saudi-Emirati Cell Plotting 'Terror' Attacks

UAE authorities on Wednesday announced busting a cell of Saudi and Emirati members plotting "terror" attacks in the two countries and other states.

The suspects "imported material and equipment with the aim of committing terror acts," said an official statement on WAM state news agency. The arrests came after coordination between security authorities in the two Gulf states.

The suspects were described as members of the "deviant group," a term usually used in Saudi Arabia to refer to al-Qaida-linked Islamists.

"Security authorities acted "after confirming that those elements were plotting to jeopardize security" in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and "other brother countries," the statement said, adding that they would be put on trial.

Unlike Saudi Arabia, the UAE has never seen attacks by al-Qaida, but authorities have in past months arrested dozens of Islamists accused of links to the Egypt-born Muslim Brotherhood.

In July, Abu Dhabi said it dismantled a group plotting against state security without identifying their affiliation or the number of arrests.

The prosecutor general, Salem Said Kabish, said an unspecified number of people were being questioned for having formed "a group aimed at damaging the security of the state."

WAM said at the time they were also suspected of "rejecting the constitution and the founding principles of power in the Emirates" and of having links with foreign organizations.

The United Arab Emirates is a federation of seven sheikhdoms led by oil-rich Abu Dhabi, the capital, and also comprises Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm al-Qaiwain.