Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - Saudi authorities have arrested three cells linked to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

Following months of monitoring terrorist cells in Saudi Arabia, security forces have arrested three cells which are affiliated with ISIS and which consist of 17 people.

They were planning four attacks and have reached advanced stages of preparing for these suicide attacks which aimed to target citizens, religious scholars, security forces and military, security and economic facilities in different areas as well as religious sites in al-Ahsa and security headquarters linked to the defense and interior ministries.

The 17 detainees include 13 Saudis, an Egyptian, a Yemeni, a Palestinian and a woman who participated in implementing terrorist schemes.

Saudi authorities also confiscated 20 kilograms of explosives, explosive belts which weigh 8 kilograms, weapons and ammunition. They also confiscated 600,000 Saudi Riyals which were in possession of one of the cells.

Investigations revealed that one of the apprehended cells had provided refuge to those who carried out the explosion of Imam al-Rida Mosque in al-Ahsa and had also been involved in blowing up a military personnel's car in Riyadh, assisting in the assassination of a Saudi officer and targeting a security post on al-Haer road in Riyadh.

* Al Arabiya