Mishal Al-Otaibi
RIYADH — The security spokesman of the Ministry of Interior Maj. Gen. Mansour Al-Turki disclosed here Monday that the man who carried out the July 4 Jeddah attack is not a Saudi, but a resident working in the Kingdom.
Al-Turki also reiterated the fact that the Jeddah suicide bomber did not speak to security men as was earlier reported. He also confirmed that the explosive vest on the bomber had exploded partially.
Al-Turki added that several bombs, which were on the verge of exploding, were defused. These several improvised bombs were distributed at several places by the suicide bomber, who had in addition six hand grenades, which were also defused by the Explosives Defusing Unit of the Jeddah Police.
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In this Monday July 4, 2016 TV grab from footage released by Al-Ekhbariya, Saudi security forces investigate the scene of an explosion in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. A suicide bomber carried out an attack early Monday near an American diplomatic site in the western Saudi city of Jeddah, according to the Interior Ministry. (Al-Ekhbariya via AP)[/caption]Meanwhile Al-Arabiya website quoted Al-Turki as saying that the bomber was a man in his 30s, adding, “[the culprit’s] intentions are still unclear,” since the area that was targeted had a mosque, security forces as well as the US consulate. “Investigations are still under way,” Al-Turki said.
Meanwhile Sabq online newspaper said earlier Monday that the suicide bomber had blown himself up near the door of a mosque, which is close to the US Consulate. The worshipers in the mosque were performing Tahajjud prayer. None of the worshipers was injured.
Sources told Sabq that the suicide bomber had distributed the explosives on the pavement. Fortunately, there were no pedestrians on the street. This botched the terrorist’s plans. Forensic evidence teams managed to lift fingerprints and other evidence in order to identify the suicide bomber.
Meanwhile, Okaz said that the blast had the hallmarks of Daesh (so-called IS) that has turned the holy month of Ramadan into a bloodbath. Okaz learned that the suicide bomber was wearing an explosive belt that he detonated.
The security authorities cordoned off Al-Ruwais District where the blast took place.
Eyewitnesses told Okaz that a man got down from a car and walked towards a mosque located in the car park of Dr. Soliman Fakeeh Hospital. Then he walked towards the wall of the US Consulate where he blew himself up.
