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Saudi Arabia: Suicide bomber strikes Shia mosque Saudi Arabia: Suicide bomber strikes Shia mosque
(35 minutes later)
At least four people are reported to have been killed in a suicide bombing at a Shia mosque in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province. At least 10 people have been killed in a suicide bombing at a Shia mosque in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province, a doctor has told the BBC.
One witness told Reuters news agency there was a huge explosion at the Imam Ali mosque in the village of al-Qadeeh, in Qatif governorate. The emergency doctor at Qatif Central Hospital said at least 70 had been injured, "some very critically".
Several people were injured in the blast. Witnesses reported a huge blast at the Imam Ali mosque in the village of al-Qadeeh, in Qatif governorate.
Incidents of this kind in the Eastern Province are rare. There has so far been no claim of responsibility. It is the first such incident in Saudi Arabia amid rising tension in the wider region between Sunni and Shia Muslims.
Television pictures on Lebanon's Hezbollah-run al-Manar network showed shattered glass and debris next to the tiled pillars inside the mosque, where scores were said to have been praying. It is unclear who was behind the attack.
Television pictures on Lebanon's al-Manar network showed shattered glass and debris next to the tiled pillars inside the mosque, where scores were said to have been praying.
Bodies covered in sheets could be seen laid out on the floor, while injured people in bloodstained clothes were rushed out on stretchers.Bodies covered in sheets could be seen laid out on the floor, while injured people in bloodstained clothes were rushed out on stretchers.
Qatif hospital issued an urgent call for blood donations after the attack and called in off-duty staff to cope with the high number of casualties, a source told AFP news agency. Qatif hospital has issued an urgent call for blood donations and called in off-duty staff to cope with the high number of casualties.
Air campaign IS threat
Saudi Arabia's large Shia Muslim minority is mainly based in the Eastern Province, and there have been sporadic protests by Shia there for greater rights.Saudi Arabia's large Shia Muslim minority is mainly based in the Eastern Province, and there have been sporadic protests by Shia there for greater rights.
This attack comes as the Saudis lead a coalition of Arab states in an air campaign against Shia rebels in neighbouring Yemen. The attack on Friday comes at a time when the Saudis are leading a coalition of Arab states in an air campaign against Shia rebels in neighbouring Yemen.
Saudi Arabia has also been threatened by Islamic State (IS), which is being targeted by a US-led coalition including the Sunni kingdom. Saudi Arabia has also been threatened by the Islamic State (IS) group, which is being targeted by a US-led coalition including the Sunni kingdom.
In November last year an audio recording purported to be from IS chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi called on Saudi followers to attack Shia targets. In November last year, an audio recording purported to be from IS chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi called on Saudi followers to attack Shia targets.
More than 2,000 Saudis are believed to have joined IS, with hundreds having returned home. Saudi Arabia has launched a security crackdown in recent months, arresting hundreds of IS suspects.More than 2,000 Saudis are believed to have joined IS, with hundreds having returned home. Saudi Arabia has launched a security crackdown in recent months, arresting hundreds of IS suspects.