A photo from social media reportedly shows a flaming car from a bombing in the parking lot of the Al-Haram Al-Nabawi, the Prophet Mohammad’s mosque, in the city of Madinah on Monday, July 4, 2016 (Photo courtesy: Twitter)
Four 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.
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 News Channel’s correspondent said the suicide bomber targeted seven security officers when he pretended that he wanted to break his fast with them.
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.
