A huge explosion has rocked Saudi Arabia leaving the residents of the highly revered city totally shaken.
File photo used only for illustrative purpose
The predominantly Shia city of Qatif in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province, has been hit with an explosion after a car bomb went up in flames in the area.
There were initial reports of casualties.
According France Presse, AFP, 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.
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.