( CNN ) -- Authorities in Saudi Arabia targeting al Qaeda-linked militants have embarked on a large counterterror operation across the country , authorities said Tuesday . Security forces arrested 62 members of a terror cell linked to al Qaeda in Yemen and Syria , Saudi state media reported , citing the Interior Ministry . Police still sought 44 others suspected of involvement with the terror cell , the Saudi Press Agency said . The terror group planned to target installations inside the kingdom with the support of al Qaeda , state-run TV reported . The arrests were made across the country over the past two months , Saudi Interior Ministry spokesman Maj.-Gen. Mansour Al-Turki told CNN . `` This was a very significant counterterror operation and sweep that showcases quite clearly how committed the Saudi government is to combating al Qaeda within its borders and beyond , '' one senior-level Saudi government official told CNN . `` This operation is not over yet . '' This source , not authorized to speak to the media , requested anonymity . `` One of the most important aspects of this was focusing on and disrupting support these terrorist cells in the kingdom were giving to al Qaeda-affiliated fighters and cells in Yemen and in Syria , '' the official said . `` As announced , this operation is not over yet -- the Interior Ministry is still on the hunt for dozens of others . '' With the exception of a Palestinian , a Yemeni and a Pakistani , those seized were Saudis , Al-Turki said . The raids were not done in conjunction with the counterterror operations staged in Yemen over the past two weeks . CNN 's Salma Abdelaziz contributed to this report .
With the exception of a few , most suspects are Saudis . Police are still hunting for any others allegedly tied to terror groups . This was separate from raids elsewhere in Yemen .