<span style="color: #222222;">In Saudi Arabia, security forces killed eight alleged terrorists in a shootout in the predominantly Shiite eastern region of Qatif.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">  </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The Interior Ministry said security forces launched a raid against a suspected militant hideout on the island of Tarot off the coast of the kingdom's Eastern Province.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The statement described the group as a terrorist cell and accused them of planning to attack vital installations and security targets.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The Interior Ministry said security forces only opened fire after they were shot at. It did not identify the militants and said an investigation was going on.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Saudi security forces frequently target and clash with Shiite gunmen in the region of Qatif, which saw large protests by minority Shiites in 2011 demanding greater rights and equal treatment from the kingdom's Sunni Muslim rulers.</span><br />