Breaking News: Panic as Explosion Rocks Saudi Arabia's Shia City

 

 

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.