Four Saudi security force members were killed on Monday after a suicide bombing took place in Madinah near the prophet’s mosque, the Al-Haram Al-Nabawi, regarded as one of Islam’s holiest sites. Iraqi military gains against IS have repeatedly failed to translate into increased security for Iraqi civilians in areas firmly under government control. The security spokesman said the body of a bomber and two other people had been identified, without providing any more details.
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The series of attacks, which bore the hallmarks of the Islamic State group, killed both Muslims and non-Muslims, but also highlighted the reach of the militants beyond Iraq and Syria, where they hold territory and where a US -led coalition is focusing most of their resources against the extremists. Police and health officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release the information, warned that the death toll could grow.
The suicide bombing in Medina came during sunset prayers at the Prophet’s Mosque – where Prophet Mohammed is buried and which attracts millions of pilgrims each year.
Three apparently coordinated suicide attacks on Monday targeted Medina, the USA consulate in Jeddah and the largely Shi’ite Muslim city of Qatif on Monday.
Interior Ministry spokesman Maj.
An Interior Ministry statement issued Tuesday identified the man behind the Jeddah attack as 34-year-old Abdullah Qalzar Khan.
Worshippers in Medina expressed shock that such a prominent holy site in Saudi Arabia could have been targeted.
In a press statement, Al-Asheikh said the suicide bombing carried out by one of the terrorists in the vicinity of the Prophet’s Mosque is a precedent in doing evil.
The head of Saudi Arabia’s Shura Council, the kingdom’s main advisory body, said the attack was “unprecedented”. The attack may have been an attempt to undermine the Saudi monarchy’s claim of guardianship.
At the same time as the Medina attack on Monday evening, another suicide bombing occurred near a Shia mosque in the city of Qatif across the country, residents and the interior ministry said. The correspondent said the visitors were undeterred and were heading to perform the Isha prayers, which take place soon after the inital fast-breaking prayer. Photo: Reuters Muslim worshippers gather after a suicide bomber detonated a device near the security headquarters of the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina, Saudi Arabia, July 4, 2016. “People never imagined that this could happen here”. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility.
Isis also did not claim the attack in Istanbul, but Turkish investigators say the group is the leading suspect.
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Saudi policemen stand guard at the site where a suicide bomber blew himself near the American consulate in the Red Sea city of Jeddah.
