Multiple suicide bombings in Saudi Arabia: 4 dead

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 Medinah, left four members of the security forces dead and others wounded.

The Prophet's Mosque, in the west of the kingdom, is one of Islam's holiest sites --  and which attracts millions of visitors each year.

"Security forces suspected a man who was heading towards 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 Medinah attack occurred during sunset prayers after which Muslims break their Ramadan fast.

UAE strongly condemns terrorist attacks in Saudi Arabia

The United Arab Emirates has strongly condemned the despicable terrorist attacks which hit the cities of Jeddah, Qatif and the Prophet's Mosque in the city of Medinah, Saudi Arabia.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, said: "We stand in solidarity with our brothers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in their fight against the crimes of terrorism whose goals are to spread fear, takfir (branding others as infidels) and incite strife".

He reiterated that the United Arab Emirates stands in full solidarity with the leaders and people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and fully backs any measures they take to eliminate the danger of terrorism which aims to undermine the security and stability of the Kingdom, and which does not respect the sanctity of this month, the Prophet's Mosque and other places of worship that it targets.

Sheikh Abdullah stressed that the stability of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the main pillar of the stability of the United Arab Emirates and the whole of the Gulf Arab region.

"Based on this fact, we believe that these crimes target the United Arab Emirates, its cities and people. We are fully confident that the Saudi leadership will be able to eliminate the threat posed by terrorism and all its forms and manifestations, and that this deviant group of people will not succeed in achieving its goals, thanks to national solidarity and cohesion which recognises the futility of their goals, blood-thirsty crimes as well as the deviance of their claims."

Sheikh Abdullah stressed that Islam has nothing to do with this deviant and extremist ideology that has nothing to do with this religion nor with our traditions and history.

Concluding, Sheikh Abdullah further stressed that the issue of terrorism that we all face requires our cooperation, coordination and diligence.  

He also stressed that these crimes that target the fraternal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and other countries will make us even more determined and resolved to firmly fight them, with full force, and also fight those who seek to undermine our straight religion, its civilized and human values and our security and stability.

Sheikh Abdullah extended condolences to the leaders and people of Saudi Arabia and the families of the victims, and wished those injured speedy recovery.

Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorist attacks in Saudi Arabia

The Muslim Council of Elders has condemned in the strongest terms the despicable terrorist attacks which hit the Saudi cities of Jeddah, Qatif and the Prophet's Mosque in the city of Medinah, leaving a number of security officers dead and wounded.

In a statement, the council, headed by Grand Imam of al-Azhar, Shaikh Ahmed el-Tayeb, stressed that "the perpetrators of these villainous attacks which shed the blood of innocent people and violated the sanctity of places where Allah is worshipped, have neither ethics nor conscience and are not deterred by religion from killing innocent people and bomb the most sacred places on Earth."

It added: "Allah Almighty threatens to afflict those, who seek to wreak havoc on the Prophet's Mosque and other mosques, with disgrace in this life and the worst torment in the afterlife."

The council's statement stressed "the need for concerted international efforts to counter, with full firmness and determination, these deviant groups that seek to spread mischief on Earth and threaten, with atrocious acts, the security and stability of our holy places, Arab and Muslim countries and international peace that all humanity pursues."

The Council extended condolences to the King, government and people of Saudi Arabia and the families of the victims of the attacks.

'Suicide bomber for sure'
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.

Undeterred by the blast at the sprawling mosque complex, thousands of worshippers performed prayers on Monday night, live Saudi television showed.

Monday's bombings in Medinah and Qatif took place simultaneously.

"Suicide bomber for sure. I can see the body" torn apart, said one witness to the attack in Qatif.
Another witness, who gave his name only as Ayman, told AFP there were two explosions near the Shiite mosque.

Pictures said to be from the scene and circulated by residents showed a small fire burning in the street, severed limbs and what appeared to be a head.

Monday's first bombing, near the US consulate in Jeddah, was carried out by a Pakistani resident later identified by the interior ministry as Abdullah Qalzar Khan, a 35-year-old private driver who had been living with his wife and her parents in Jeddah for 12 years.

Interior ministry spokesman General Mansour Al Turki had told state Al-Ekhbaria news channel that the bomber was closer to a mosque in the area than to the consulate.

The ministry said in the statement published on the official SPA news agency that the bomber's explosive belt had "partially" exploded.

The US embassy in Riyadh reported no injuries among the consulate staff.

A picture carried by the Sabq online newspaper, which is close to authorities, showed a large body part lying on the ground between a taxi and the open door of another car that was peppered with holes.

The attack coincided with the US July 4 Independence Day holiday.

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