Saudi Arabia denies suicide bomber report at Grand Mosque in Makkah

Makkah: Saudi authorities have dismissed reports of a suicide bomber at the Grand Mosque in Makkah, clarifying that a man was detained after allegedly harassing people and creating panic in the area, Siasat reported.

The Saudi General Directorate of Public Security said security personnel in the Holy Capital intervened after the individual caused fear among passersby. He was taken into custody and dealt with immediately, then handed over to the Public Prosecution for further legal proceedings.

Authorities also rejected claims circulating about a suicide bombing attempt at the Grand Mosque and urged the public to rely on official channels for information rather than unverified reports circulating online.

The clarification followed the widespread circulation of a video on social media that was presented as footage of security forces apprehending a suspected suicide bomber near the Kaaba. Posts accompanying the video claimed that a man wearing an explosive vest had approached the holy site and attempted to detonate it.

However, the footage is not connected to the recent incident. It was originally recorded in February 2017 and shows a separate incident involving a man near the Kaaba.

According to a report published by Arab News at the time, Saudi security forces intervened after the man poured petrol over his clothes and attempted to set himself on fire. He was arrested before he could carry out the act.

The old footage has now resurfaced on social media, accompanied by misleading claims that it depicts a recent security incident at the Grand Mosque. Saudi authorities' latest clarification confirms that the viral claims do not accurately represent what occurred in Makkah on Friday.