RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, July 19 (UPI) -- Saudi Arabian officials said 431 suspected members of the Islamic State, whose targets included mosques, have been arrested in the course of several weeks.

Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Interior said suspects were planning suicide attacks on mosques "every Friday timed with assassinations of security men" and "terrorist plots to target a diplomatic mission, security and government facilities."


Some of the arrested suspected members are accused of spreading propaganda and recruiting. Most are Saudi Arabian citizens with other nationalities, including Yemeni and Syrian.

At least 37 security forces and civilians were killed during the arrests, along with six suspected Islamic State members.

"Horrific terrorist operations were thwarted," reported the state-run Saudi Press Agency, adding that the arrests were carried out over several weeks.

The suspects are accused of attacking a mosque in Qudayh in Ma, killing 21 people, and a Damman mosque the following week, killing three.