IS-linked 'explosives experts' shot dead in Riyadh dawn raid

Two suspected Islamic State group-linked militants have been killed in a dawn raid by Saudi security forces in Riyadh, early Saturday morning. 

Taya Sayari and Talal Assaaedi were shot dead in an exchange of fire on while trying to escape security officials in the usually quiet Jasmine district of Riyadh.

A video circulating on the internet appears to show the two suspects attempting to take cover behind a police car, while fleeing the scene. The pair are then shot by a plain-clothed policeman.  

Some reports in local Saudi media have claimed that Sayari and Assaaedi attempted to take a local neighbourhood resident as a hostage but were gunned down first.

Riyadh authorities claim they uncovered a cache of weapons in the raid including machine guns, suicide vests, and grenades.

Chemicals that are used to manufacture explosives were also discovered, according to the interior ministry, with investigators believing the pair plotted to bomb targets in the kingdom. 

The interior ministry added that one security official was injured during the raid but was in a stable condition. They also claimed that Sayari was an expert bomb maker with links to the Islamic State group.

* An image showing the security guard injured during the dawn raid in Riyadh lying in a hospital bed * [Twitter}