22 killed in Saudi attack

[Mace]

(CNN) -- The Saudi Interior Ministry has said 22 people were killed and 25 people were injured in Saturday's shooting attack apparently claimed by al Qaeda.

Earlier Sunday, more than 24 hours after gunmen stormed a compound housing oil workers in the eastern city of Khobar, a hostage standoff between them and police ended, Saudi authorities said.

Officials said most of the hostages at the compound in the eastern city of Khobar were safe and well, according to Al Hayat newspaper editor Baria Alamuddin. They later recovered the bodies of the victims.

The standoff ended hours after Saudi security forces were helicoptered onto the roof of the building where the hostages were believed to be held.

Gunmen were holding up to 50 hostages, many believed to be Western oil workers, inside the complex since Saturday. One eyewitness told CNN the gunmen seemed to target Westerners.

A man believed by authorities to be the top al Qaeda figure in Saudi Arabia later purportedly claimed responsibility for the attack.

more http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/meast/05/30/saudi.shooting/index.html

[ugarte]

1. I'm sorry about these deaths

but these Westerners knew the risks. They chose to stay for the money and rolled the dice. My big problem is with any Westerner who still has family over there. They are truly putting innocent lives at risk.

[Warpy]

2. "Oil workers" they were NOT

The Oasis is a luxury high rise housing oil company executives.

They didn't go after the working class. They went after the suits.

[Big_AJ]

3. But they don't deserve death any more than ...

the 'workers'.  They have families, friends etc.  Just like
the workers.

You also don't know if the hostages were actually taken from
the residents of the 'luxury' building.  Please lay the blame
on the perpetrators.  It seems that they may want to be known
for this violence.

AJ

[NNN0LHI]

4. Mafiosos have families, friends etc., too. So whats your point? n/t

[Whoa_Nelly]

6. Welcome to DU!

Welcome to DU, Big_AJ! :hi:

[mom cat]

7. You are right in a way. The perpetrators of the violence should be

punished... ALL of the violence. Right now the main perpetrators work for the west. I don't like what happened to those men today. Neither do I like what has happened to over 11,000 Iraqis. They have friends and family too.

[rfkrocks]

5. wow-every day

you think it can't get worse but it does-I wonder what the oil markets will be like when this attack registers-$3.00 a gallon?-our economy will slow down when that happens- Saudi monarchy is falling and we can't put it back together again-now 135,000 troops in Iraq and soldiers undermanned in Afghan capital-the Bush legacy-the gift that keeps giving:mad: