Saudi Arabia identifies suspected IS fighters killed in raid

Doha: Saudi Arabia published the names on Friday of four people it said were IS fighters killed in a raid by security forces outside the holy city of Mecca, and vowed to protect the country from further attacks by the group.
Security forces shot dead two of the men and two others blew themselves up outside the holy city on Thursday. The raid followed a spate of shootings and bombings against security forces which raised concerns about security in the world's top oil exporter.
Among the four was 46-year-old Saudi national Said Ayed Al Shahrani who orchestrated the bombing of a mosque for security forces in Asir province in August that killed 15 people, state news agency SPA quoted an interior ministry statement as saying on Friday.
"We continue with determination to foil attacks and to guard the security of this nation.. we must stand as one against this criminal group and its terrorist activities," the statement said.
Saudi-owned Al Arabiya TV reported that explosive devices and pistols had been found after Thursday's shooting and showed images of the four men's faces and dates of birth.
The interior ministry also said gunmen shot and killed a Saudi policeman on duty in a village close to the site of Thursday's raid.
Corporal Khalaf al-Harithi was shot late on Thursday while on duty at a police station outside the holy city of Mecca, SPA reported, citing a local police spokesman.
The IS group has claimed responsibility for a string of bombings that have targeted police and mosques of the kingdom's minority since last year.