Saudi authorities Saturday evening confirmed reports that an attack near the royal palace in Jeddah had been foiled by security forces, leaving two guards and the attacker dead.
The spokesman for the Saudi Interior Ministry said two Saudi security personnel were killed Saturday and another three wounded in the attack on an outpost affiliate.
"At 3:15 pm on Saturday, an outpost of the Royal Guard, located in front of the western gate of the Peace Palace in Jeddah, came under fire by a person who got out of a Hyundai car and was immediately dealt with by the Royal Guard men as required by the situation, resulting in his death in the same place immediately," Saudi official news agency (SPA) reported .
“This cowardly act also resulted in the martyrdom of sergeant Hammad bin Shallah al-Mutairi, and soldier Abdullah bin Faisal al-Subaie and the injury of corporal Walid bin Ali Shami, soldier Ahmed Saleh Al-Qarni and soldier Abdullah Hindi Subei'i who are currently receiving treatment,” the spokesman added.
The attacker was identified as Mansur bin Hassan bin Ali al-Fahid al-Amiri, a 28-year-old Saudi national, who carried a Kalashnikov machine gun and three Molotov fire grenades, the spokesman said.
Investigations are still being done by security authorities, and “any developments will be announced later”, he added.
Turkey condemned the attack on early Sunday.
"We condemn the terrorist act perpetrated yesterday (Oct. 7) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia," Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a written statement.
The statement also wished Allah’s mercy upon the Saudi security officers who lost their lives and a speedy recovery to the wounded.
"Furthermore, we convey our condolences to the brotherly Government and the people of Saudi Arabia," it added.
