World rallies behind KSA

Riyadh, May 31: The US on Saturday joined Gulf and Arab countries in denouncing the terror attack in Dammam, saying that it was committed to working with the Kingdom to fight extremism.

“We deplore the brutality of the terrorists who perpetuated this violence at places of worship,” said US State Department spokesman Jeff Rathke, in response to Friday’s attack at the Al-Anoud Mosque in Dammam.

Three people and an IS suspect who exploded the bomb in the parking area after being stopped by security men from entering the women’s section of the mosque were killed.

“The US stands with the people of Saudi Arabia against this violence and remains committed to working with the Saudi government and our international partners to fight violent extremism in the region,” Rathke added.

Ban Ki-moon, UN secretary-general, too strongly condemned the attack, asserting that such attacks on places of worship are “abhorrent” and are intended to promote sectarian conflicts.

Sheikh Salman bin Mohammed Al-Nashwan, spokesman of Supreme Judicial Council, condemned the attack and said that such incidents aim at spreading chaos and violence.

The Federal National Council (FNC) of the UAE also denounced the attacks that targeted the mosques in Qatif and Dammam and called for “joint and intensified efforts at all levels to counter such cowardly acts.”

Mohammed Ahmed Al Murr, FNC spokesman, reiterated the UAE’s full support to the Kingdom in its fight against terrorism.

Iyad Madani, secretary-general of Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), said the terror acts showed the ugly face of IS, which has claimed responsibility.

“Such malicious schemes would not succeed in destabilizing the social fabric in the Kingdom; it will rather strengthen the will of the people to be united.”

The board of trustees of the World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY) held a meeting to condemn the terrorist acts in Saudi Arabia.

The Arab interior ministers’ council denounced the terror acts and expressed support to the Kingdom to combat terrorism.

Egypt, Turkey, Qatar, Sudan, Oman and Kuwait strongly condemned the mosque bombing.

The foreign ministries of these countries expressed their condolences to the Saudi government, people and the families of the martyrs, and wished for speedy recovery for those injured in the attack.