Car bomb hits predominantly Shia city in Saudi Arabia

Innocent

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Car bomb hits predominantly Shia city in Saudi Arabia

Thu Jun 1, 2017 3:34PM


A car bomb has exploded in the predominantly Shia city of Qatif in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province, with initial reports of casualties.


The blast took place on Thursday, Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya television reported, without giving any details on casualties.

Sources affiliated to Saudi Shia Muslims said two people were killed in the bombing that happened near Qatif’s Sheikh Hussein al-Omran Mosque. They said the explosive-packed car went off after it came under RPG fire.

"The explosion was very huge," a witness told AFP, adding that armored and other police vehicles sealed off the scene of the bombing after the explosion.

Videos and photos posted on social media showed a vehicle engulfed in flames and black smoke rising around it. There were also images showing at least one charred body lying beside the vehicle.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet.

Daesh terrorists have killed more than 40 Shia Muslims since the Takfiri group began a campaign of bombings and shootings in Eastern Province in 2014.



Qatif has witnessed anti-regime protests since 2011, with demonstrators demanding free speech, release of political prisoners, and an end to economic and religious discrimination.

The government has responded to the protests with a heavy-handed crackdown but the rallies have intensified since January 2016 when Saudi Arabia executed respected Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr.
 

Innocent

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Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation denounced the criminal terrorist act


Initial reports of an explosion, possibly a car bomb in #Qatif in Eastern Province, #Saudi Arabia.

The UAE has condemned a terrorist bombing that occurred in Qatif City on Thursday targetting the security and stability of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation denounced the bombing as a terrorist and criminal act that sought to undermine the safety of Saudi Arabia.

The ministry appreciated Saudi Arabia's efforts in countering all forms and manifestations of terrorism. It emphasised that the UAE stands in full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and backs any measures it takes against extremism and terrorism.

The ministry further emphasised that the security and stability of Saudi Arabia is a key pillar of the security of the entire Arabian Gulf region and its states.
 

Innocent

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Another video purportedly showing the alleged #Qatif car bomb. Note: "Alleged" = reports of VBIED are unconfirmed.

 

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Blast in eastern Saudi Arabia kills two: TV

At least two people were killed when a car exploded in Saudi Arabia's eastern city of Qatif on Thursday, Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya television reported.

It said initial reports indicated the victims were "fugitives", a term that suggested people being sought by the kingdom's security services.

The channel had earlier said the blast was caused by a car bomb. Its website posted images of thick black smoke rising from a street.

A resident contacted by telephone by Reuters said he had heard a blast and saw smoke rising above an area that police had blocked off. Saudi authorities were not immediately available for comment.

Photos sent over social media showed a body apparently completely burned being pulled from the wreckage of a car. The authenticity of the photos could not immediately be verified.

Qatif, home to a large Shi'ite Muslim population, has been a flashpoint between the Sunni Muslim government and Shi'ites complaining of discrimination.

(Reporting by Sami Aboudi and Sylvia Westall; Editing by Catherine Evans)

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-blast-idUSKBN18S5N3
 

Motti

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Only to be expected. Bombing surge during Ramadan. In fact, this period is know as the Ramadan Bombathon period worldwide, and this year's death tally is expected to set a new record. I am sure the Saudis and their terror surrogates will be more emboldened by Donald Trump's arse-sniffing antics in Riyadh a few days back.
 

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