UAE authorities said Wednesday that several arrests have been made in connection with a terrorist cell that was planning attacks in the Gulf kingdom, Saudi Arabia and nearby states.

The official WAM news agency said a “deviant group was planning to carry out actions against the national security of both countries and some sisterly states.” The phrase “the deviant group” is used by Saudi authorities to describe al-Qaida members.

The WAM report said the group had acquired materials and equipment for a terror attack. It did not provide details of the suspects or when arrests were made.

Saudi Arabia has been fighting al-Qaida militants who have attacked Saudi interests from bases in Yemen and neighboring Gulf states. Saudi authorities have arrested a number of suspects – including Saudi and Yemeni nationals – in recent months.

In November, unidentified gunmen shot and killed a Saudi diplomat and his bodyguard in the Yemeni capital, Sana'a, in an attack that appeared to be the work of al-Qaida.