A Saudi military officer has been nabbed by Iraqi authorities over past terrorist attacks in Iraq and for involvement in an alleged al-Qaeda plot to attack World Cup football matches beginning in South Africa in June, a Defense spokesperson told media on Monday.
Colonel Azzam al-Qahtani also called Sanan al-Saudi is believed to have entered Iraq in 2004 and was reportedly involved in an attack on Karbala and Najaf, two of Shia Muslims holiest shrines, according to Iraqi General Qassem Atta.
Iraqi security officials said al-Qahtani conspired with Manaf al-Rawy, al-Qaeda's 'governor' in Baghdad who was arrested two weeks ago, and the two along with Osama Bin Laden's deputy and al-Qaeda's number two, Ayman al-Zawahiri, allegedly planned attacks at World Cup venues.
Meanwhile, South African police said they were investigating reports of the alleged al-Qaeda plot to target World Cup football.
But a police spokesman said in Jo'Burg that he was unaware of any such plot and was still making inquiries while a spokesman for the national police commissioner denied knowledge of al-Qahtani's arrest.
On Monday, South African police and Army performed a mock- security drill to showcase their readiness to ensure safety for the mega event which will kick off on June 11.
Until now violent crimes were seen as the biggest threat to the soccer carnival since the country has one of highest crime rates in the world with some 50 people being killed daily.
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April 17, 2026 15:29 ET The ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to raise concerns for policymakers who worry about the impact of the supply shock and high energy prices on the real economy. Producer price data and various survey results on the housing market were the main news from the U.S. this week. In Europe, industrial production data for the euro area gained attention. GDP figures out of China and the policy move by the Singapore central bank were in focus in Asia.