Saudi foils attack on mosque in al-Qatif

Saudi Arabia has foiled an attack on a mosque in Um Al-Hamam village in the Shiite-dominated enclave of Al-Qatif in the kingdom’s Eastern province, Al Arabiya News Channel reported.

The man, who attempted the attack on Al-Rasoul Al-A’dham mosque, was wearing an explosive belt and was eliminated by Saudi security forces, the channel’s correspondent said.

An accomplice in the attack, meanwhile, was arrested. Both men were not Saudis but residents in the kingdom.

“The relevant security apparatus was on the scene immediately to swipe the entire area to ensure no other bombs were in place and that determine whether it was safe for citizens and residents to come back,” Al Arabiya’s correspondent Bader al-Shehri said.

The thwarted attack comes after a series of bombings taking place in early July this year, which includes a blast near Prophet Mohammed’s mosque in Madinah, two suicide bombings in Al-Qatif as well as a bomb targeting near the US consulate in Jeddah.

Saudi witnessed violent bombings in 2015 as well, including blasts claimed by ISIS. The so-called Sunni militant group ISIS has previously targeted the mainly Shiite Al-Qatif to stir sectarian strife in the country.