Multiple suicide blasts hit Saudi
RIYADH (AFP) — At least four people died in suicide bombings in Saudi Arabia on Monday, following attacks elsewhere in the region before the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
There were no immediate claims of responsibility for the three attacks, one of which, at the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina, left four members of the security forces dead and others wounded.
Since late 2014, Saudi Arabia has been hit by bombings and shootings claimed by the Islamic State group, but multiple attacks on the same day are unusual.
The Prophet’s Mosque, in the west of the kingdom, is one of Islam’s holiest sites — where Mohammed is buried and which attracts millions of visitors each year.
“Security forces suspected a man who was heading toward Al- Masjid al- Nabawi ( the Prophet’s Mosque) as he passed through a visitors’ parking lot,” the interior ministry said in a statement.
“As they tried to stop him, he blew himself up with an explosive belt causing his death, and the death of four security personnel,” said the statement, adding that five others were injured.
The two other blasts occurred in the Red Sea city of Jeddah near the US consulate and in Shiite- populated Qatif on the Gulf coast of the country.
The Al-Arabiya news channel showed images of fire raging in the parking lot with at least one body nearby.
Two security officers were wounded in the Jeddah bombing carried out by a Pakistani resident, the interior ministry said.
Residents of Qatif said body parts were found near a Shiite mosque and the interior ministry confirmed the suicide bombing clarifying that “the body parts of three people were found” at that site, but have not yet been identified.
The ministry said the deadly Medina attack occurred during sunset prayers after which Muslims break their Ramadan fast.
The Prophet’s Mosque is particularly crowded during Ramadan, which is supposed to be a time of charity, but has seen spectacular attacks around the region.