Saudi Policeman Attacked İn Shiite Town

A Saudi policeman has been injured in an attack in the eastern town of Al-Awamiya – the second such attack in the predominantly Shiite town within the last month.



The policeman was injured when a security checkpoint in the town came under fire on Monday night, a police spokesman was "ed as saying by Saudi's official news agency.



The attack came two days after the Interior Ministry announced the arrest of a militant allegedly involved in a series of recent "terrorist crimes" in Al-Awamiya.



The militant later succumbed to injuries sustained in a gunfight with security forces.



Monday's was the second such attack in the predominantly Shiite town after another policeman was injured by gunfire earlier this month.



The town has been the scene of repeated attacks in recent months.



In late February, three Saudi policemen were injured in an armed attack in the town, days after a gunfight between Saudi security forces and a number of "wanted saboteurs" left two policemen and two gunmen dead.



And last January, a German diplomatic vehicle came under fire in the town.



Shiites, estimated at some 10 percent of Saudi's 20-million-strong population, have long accused the Saudi authorities of discriminating against them in terms of government and military appointments.



By Ahmed al-Masri



englishnews@aa.com.tr



www.aa.com.tr/en - Riyad