Attack on a Shia Mosque in Saudi Arabia Leaves Four Dead

The Saudi Ministry of Interior announced that a suicide attack on a mosque in the east of the country resulted in four deaths and 18 injuries. According to a statement read on the Al-Ikhbariya television channel on Friday, February 9, it was reported that 'two suicide bombers intended to enter the mosque, but as security personnel approached them for a body search, one detonated himself at the entrance of the mosque, and the other exchanged fire with the officers.' The statement added that 'the second individual was wounded and arrested, and he also had an explosive belt in his possession.' This mosque is located in the Al-Ahsa region in eastern Saudi Arabia and, according to eyewitnesses, belongs to Shia Muslims. The majority of Shia Muslims in Saudi Arabia reside in the eastern part of the country, bordering Yemen. Since last year, several Shia mosques in eastern Saudi Arabia have been attacked, with the Islamic State group claiming responsibility for these attacks. The Saudi Ministry of Interior has announced that security measures around Shia mosques have been increased since then, including the presence of local guards for body searches of individuals wishing to enter the mosques during prayer times.