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King Faysal Assassinated
King Faisal of Saudi Arabia died after a gun attack in Riyadh despite the efforts of doctors to save him. The king was rushed to hospital still alive and doctors massaged his heart and gave him a blood transfusion but they were unable to save him. -
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The Gulf War
Iraqi troops invaded Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia thought that their Eastern Province was next. They got a lot of other countries such as Egypt, Syria, the US, and many others. They eventually forced all the Iraqi troops out of Kuwait. -
Osama bin Laden Nationality Stripped
Islamic dissident Usamah Bin-Ladin was stripped of his Saudi nationality. At that time, he was living in exile in Sudan. His family then disowned him. -
9/11 Hijackers
On September 11, 2001, 4 planes were hijacked by 19 terrorists. 15 of those 19 hijackers involved in attacks on New York and Washington were Saudi nationals. -
US Pulls Most Troops Out of Saudi Arabia
The US pulls out almost all their troops from Saudi Arabia, ending a military presence dating back to the 1991 Gulf War. Both countries stressed that they would remain allies. -
Hajj Pilgrims Killed
363 Hajj pilgrims are killed in a crush during a stone-throwing ritual in Mecca. In a separate incident, more than 70 pilgrims are killed when a hostel in the city collapses. -
Decision Reversed
British House of Lords reverses High Court decision and says their government acted lawfully in dropping investigation into the Al-Yamamah defense deal as the Saudis had threatened to withdraw cooperation with London on security matters. -
British Man Arrested
British man arrested in Riyadh after the March 2001 bombings claims the Saudi authorities tortured him and forced a confession. The man, Ron Jones, had been released after being allowed to retract his confession. -
Public Protest Banned
Public protests banned, after small demonstrations in mainly Shia areas of the east. King Abdullah warns that threats to the nation's security and stability will not be tolerated. -
First Female Olympians
Saudi Arabia agrees to allow its women athletes to compete in the Olympics for the first time. They did this against the background of speculation that the entire Saudi team might be disqualified on grounds of gender discrimination.
