Oman: Shooting at Shia Mourners Gathering Kills at Least 4
The attack occurred early on Tuesday in Wadi al-Kabir, a district east of the capital city, Muscat, during a major religious event for Shia Muslims.
Video footage from the scene shows people fleeing near the Imam Ali Mosque, with its minaret visible, as gunfire rings out, followed by a voice exclaiming, “Oh God!”
Omani police have stated that they are taking “all necessary security measures and procedures … to handle the situation.” They initially reported a casualty toll of four killed and “several” injured.
“The authorities are continuing to gather evidence and conduct investigations to uncover the circumstances surrounding the incident,” police said on the social media platform X.
No motive or potential suspects have been identified in the attack. A state of emergency has been declared in the area.
It appears that some of the victims were Pakistani nationals. Pakistan’s ambassador “visited three hospitals and met with the wounded,” according to an embassy statement, which also urged “all Pakistanis residing in Oman to cooperate with the authorities.”
Such an attack is rare in Oman, a frequent regional mediator with a low crime rate.
The incident occurred during the Muslim day of Ashura, when Shia Muslims commemorate the seventh-century battlefield martyrdom of Imam Hussein (AS), the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Source: Agencies
