Saudi Arabia Mosque Attack: Gunmen Open Fire On Imam Rida Mosque, Deaths Reported

UPDATE: 7:17 a.m. EST — Saudi Arabia's Interior Ministry said Friday that gunmen attacked a Shiite mosque in the eastern region of the country, killing two people, Reuters reported citing state news agency SPA.

Original story​:

At least three people were killed in an attack on a mosque in eastern Saudi Arabia Friday, state-owned Al Arabiya news channel reported, adding that one suspect was arrested. The attack comes after Saudi Arabia executed 47 prisoners including top Shiite cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr on Jan. 2.

The gun attack on Imam Rida Mosque in Mahasen in al-Ahsa region was followed by an explosion, an activist, citing witnesses, told Reuters. Residents reportedly said that security forces and five “terrorists” were exchanging gunfire.

Security officials and witnesses also told the Associated Press that a Shiite mosque was the target of the attack. Friday's attack reportedly injured at least seven people.

Earlier this month, the Islamic State group, also known as ISIS, threatened Saudi Arabia saying it would destroy the country’s prisons capturing jihadis after Riyadh carried out the executions. Saudi Arabia executed four Shiite Muslims, and 43 convicted al Qaeda militants. ISIS has previously claimed responsibility for several attacks in Saudi Arabia and has also stepped up its operations in neighboring Yemen.