Madinah (Saudi Arabia): Two 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.
Al Arabiya News Channel’s correspondent said the suicide bombing took place in a parking lot between the city court and the mosque, visited by millions every year. The channel showed images of fire raging in a parking lot with at least one body seen nearby. The suicide bomber also died in the attack.
According to Arab News, a bomb exploded in the vicinity of a police post outside the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, killing four policemen and two civilians.
A police source told Arab News that the officers manning the post were having their iftar meal when the suicide bomber struck.
The bomber reportedly asked to join the policemen in having iftar and he was welcomed. As soon as he got near, he exploded his suicide vest.
A video circulated on social media showed a car burning and at least two security officers were seen lying on the open ground and two others lay crumpled near a burning car.
Madinah Governor Prince Faisal bin Salman arrived at the blast location and visited Al Ansar Hospital where the victims of the blast are being treated.
The attack near the prophet's mosque took place during Maghreb prayers, the time when Muslims break their fast during the holy month of Ramadan, Al Arabiya said in its report.
Security forces have cordoned off the area.
Two million visitors have so far arrived at Al-Haram Al-Nabawi during Ramadan to finish recitation of the Quran. 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.
Two other suicide bombings also took place in the eastern city of Qatif on Monday evening after a foiled attack earlier in the day in Jeddah.
Accorind to Arab News, a suspected suicide bomber also died after detonating a device near the US Consulate in Jeddah - some 75 miles from Makkah. Two security officers were injured as they tackeld the man.
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