Murder of Saudi policeman linked to IS: Interior Ministry

A Yemeni man who murdered a policeman in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday by running him over with his car and then stabbing him is linked to the terrorist group Islamic State, the Saudi interior ministry has said.

Omar Bahasama, a 20-year-old Yemeni, ran over the police corporal, Muhthil al-Salouli, as he left a mosque after dawn prayers and then stabbed him to death, the Saudi Press Agency quoted an Interior Ministry spokesman as saying.

The attack occurred in Asir, in the southwestern province of Bisha

“The offender had the approval and belonged to IS,” the spokesman said. “He had monitored the victim ... and been in contact with elements of the organisation abroad preparing the crime.”

Six other Yemenis were arrested on suspicion of links to the case, the spokesman added.

IS carried out a series of attacks since mid-2014 against the Saudi government, which the group strongly opposes for its close ties to the West, as well as the kingdom's Shia Muslim community, which the group views as heretics.

Hundreds of thousands of Yemenis live and work in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia is fighting a war in Yemen against Iran-backed Houthi rebels in support of the internationally recognised government.