The king of Saudi Arabia warned that his country would strike with an “iron hand” against people who preyed on youth vulnerable to religious extremism, a day after suicide bombers struck three cities in an apparently coordinated campaign of attacks.
In a speech marking Eid al-Fitr, the holiday that celebrates the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, King Salman said a major challenge facing Saudi Arabia was preserving hope for youth who faced the risk of radicalisation.
Terror Attack in Medina “An Attack on Islam Itself”
Four security officers were killed in Monday’s attacks that targeted US diplomats, Shi’ite Muslim worshippers and a security headquarters at a mosque in the holy city of Medina. The attacks all seem to have been timed to coincide with the approach of the Islamic Eid holiday.
The UN human rights chief on Tuesday described the bombing outside the Prophet Mohammed’s Mosque in Medina as “an attack on Islam itself” and many Muslims expressed shock that their second-holiest site had been targeted.
No group has claimed responsibility but Islamic State militants have carried out similar bombings in the US-allied, Sunni Muslim-ruled kingdom in the past year, targeting minority Shi’ites andSaudi security forces.
Attacks on Mecca, the holiest place in Islam, have been extremely rare. The Al Saud ruling family considers itself the protectors of both sites. Islamic State says the Saudi rulers are apostates and has declared its intention to topple them.
Saudis were rattled by the rare, high-profile attack. Iran, the region’s major Shi’ite power, also condemned the attacks.
Imam Warns Against “Malignant” Ideoloogy of Islamic State
Saudi Arabia’s crown prince, Mohammed bin Nayef bin Abdul-Aziz, sought to reassure Saudis of the country’s security on Tuesday.
The security of the homeland is good, it is at its highest levels and thanks be to God it gets stronger every day.Mohammed bin Nayef bin Abdul-Aziz, Crown Prince
Prince Mohammed has been credited for ending a bombing campaign by al Qaeda in Saudi Arabia between 2003 and 2006.
Saudi security officials say Islamic State’s supporters inside the kingdom mainly act independently from the group in Iraq and Syria, its main areas of operations.
Salah al-Budair, the imam of the Prophet’s Mosque, warned young people about being lured by the “malignant” ideology of Islamic State.
(The bomber) is an infidel who has sold himself to the enemies of his religion and his country
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