Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior has approved a plan to protect “vital installations” as well as security forces, with 15 such locations shortlisted in the Eastern Province alone, it has been found.
“The security project will be first launched in the Eastern Province because it has a large number of vital installations, and other areas in the Kingdom will also be covered later,” an official was quoted as having said by Arab News on Saturday, 22 August, 2015.
The decision follows a 6 August, 2015, terror attack in the Kingdom on the Special Emergency Forces Center Mosque in Asir, in which 11 security officers and four employees were killed.
The official said oil and industrial facilities need advanced security, in addition to providing security at the main gates.
“The Kingdom has a large number of specialists in engineering and architectural fields, in addition to experts in telecommunication and information technology. The projects will be undertaken in coordination with relevant authorities in the Ministry of Interior,” he reportedly said.
The security plan will aim to provide external security for vital industrial and oil establishments and ensure the competency of their in-house security; conduct security inspections of machinery and individuals; follow up on implementing instructions issued by higher bodies; ensure industrial security personnel are trained in the use of fire arms and electric batons; and, analyse security hazards around establishments.
No information has been provided about the exact installations and developments covered under the plan.
