Four Saudi policemen and one suspected militant were killed in clashes in Riyadh yesterday after security forces raided a suspected militant stronghold. Security forces also arrested seven individuals suspected of links with the Al Qaeda network after the shootout in the city's Al Suwaidi residential district, a top interior ministry official said. Saudi Arabia has launched a series of raids in recent months on suspected Al Qaeda network since bombing attacks killed 35 people in Riyadh in May. "The shooting has now eased off," a security source said more than five hours after the clashes started. A resident said at least five houses were targeted in the raid, in which security forces were backed by helicopter gunships. Police cordoned off the area, preventing passers-by and reporters from approaching. Residents said the hunt for Islamists started on Monday night. Villas in the area were evacuated on Tuesday night as security forces took up positions on rooftops.