• Makkah region authorities described the incident at a cemetery in Jeddah as “cowardly” and “unsuccessful”
• An employee of the Greek consulate and a Saudi security officer were injured during a Remembrance Day ceremony

Arab News

RIYADH: Saudi authorities have secured a cemetery for non-Muslims in Jeddah where a blast occurred earlier on Wednesday and injured two people.

Al-Ekhbariya TV channel showed footage of the area around the cemetery and said the situation was stable.

Makkah region authorities described the attack as “cowardly” and “unsuccessful,” and said that an employee of the Greek consulate and a Saudi security officer were injured during a Remembrance Day ceremony held by the French consulate in Jeddah.

A Saudi government source told Arab News the incident is being investigated and a report will be issued very soon.

Earlier, AFP reported that a bomb had struck a World War I commemoration attended by European diplomats in Jeddah, leaving several people wounded.

“The annual ceremony commemorating the end of World War I at the non-Muslim cemetery in Jeddah, attended by several consulates, including that of France, was the target of an IED [improvised explosive device] attack this morning, which injured several people,” France’s foreign ministry said.

“The embassies that were involved in the commemoration ceremony condemn this cowardly attack, which is completely unjustified,” the ministry added.

“Such attacks on innocent people are shameful and entirely without justification,” said a joint statement issued by the embassies of the five countries in attendance.

The French consulate in the UAE issued a statement Wednesday confirming several people had been wounded in the incident.

“Once again, France was the target of an attack during the commemorations of November 11, organized by the Consulate General of France, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. This attack left several wounded,” it said.

The French Embassy in the UAE said it was in close contact with the UAE authorities and that both remained “committed to ensuring a high level of stafety for our communities.”

The statement added that the Embassy and the Consulate General reiterated calls for people to show restraint and remain vigilant, especially when traveling, in particular in places visited by tourists and expatriate communities.

Djibouti’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Dya-Eddine Said Bamakhrama condemned the attack and wished those wounded a speedy recovery. 

“While we wish the wounded a speedy recovery, we affirm our absolute solidarity with Saudi Arabia against all cowardly terrorist acts that will not affect the great position of this glorious country,” Bamakhrama said.

The UK’s Minister for the Middle East James Cleverly tweeted his condemnation of the attack. He also stated his confidence in the Saudi authorities to investigate the incident and prosecute those responsible.