Planned Al-Queda attacks on Saudi refinery facilities and air bases have been averted following the arrest of a number of Al-Qaeda operatives.

The planned attacks were discovered after intelligence found that Al-Qaeda was planning to attack incoming military and civilian aircraft at various Saudi air bases as well as to attack the bases themselves.
The plans to attack Saudi oil facilities were discovered when the air bases plans unravelled. Weapons were found at various locations around the target sites including RPG, anti-aircraft weaponry as well as other bits and pieces.

Had the attacks on refinery facilities been successful, the price of oil around the world would have almost doubled with a matter of days as Saudi refineries provide a substantial output for both Asian and European markets. Any attacks on Saudi air bases could have had implications in terms of Saudi defence capabilities.

The plans prove that a substantial and growing anti-Saudi Government movement exists within Saudi Arabia and that Saudi intelligence capability has severe limitations in relation to detecting any potential threats.