Two members of the Saudi Royal Guard were shot dead and three others were injured on Saturday by a gunman outside a royal palace in Jeddah.
An interior ministry spokesman said that the incident took place at 3.25am in front of the western gate of the Al Salam Palace, where the men were stationed, reported the state-run Saudi Press Agency.
The men “came under fire by a person who got out of a car, a Hyundai, which he was driving and which carried the license plate H S K 6081”, he said, adding that the gunman was “immediately dealt with” and shot dead on the spot.
The spokesman said that the attacker, who was identified as 28-year-old Mansur Al Amiri, a Saudi national, was carrying a Kalashnikov rifle and three Molotov cocktails.
The two guards killed were identified as Hammad bin Shallah Al Mutairi and Abdullah bin Faisal Al Subaie.
Those injured were Walid bin Ali Shami, Ahmed Saleh Al Qarni and Abdullah Hindi Subeii, all of whom were transported to hospital for treatment.
The Saudi authorities have launched an investigation to determine the gunman's motive for the attack.
King Salman of Saudi Arabia — who was on an official visit to Russia during the attack — often holds meetings and hosts leaders at the palace.
UAE's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash said in a tweet on Sunday that Saudi Arabia will win the war on terrorism.
"Saudi Arabia will overcome terrorism and regional challenges, and it will continue with confidence with its development plans to flourish," he said. "The UAE will stand by [Saudi Arabia] through thick and thin."
ستنتصر السعودية على الإرهاب والتحديات الإقليمية وستمضي بثقة في خططها التنموية نحو الإزدهار، وستقف الإمارات إلى جانبها في اليسر والعسر.
— د. أنور قرقاش (@AnwarGargash) October 8, 2017
Other Arab countries, including Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman and Egypt, condemned the “terrorist” attack, saying that they stand firmly by Saudi Arabia.
A Kuwaiti foreign affairs ministry spokesman said that his country supported Saudi Arabia’s efforts to combat terrorism and safeguard its safety and stability, reported the Kuwait News Agency, KUNA.
“There is a need to double the international community’s efforts to face terrorism and rid this world of its evil,” he said.
Bahrain said it condemns the attack and “all forms of terrorism and those who support and finance it”, according to a foreign ministry statement carried by the Bahrain News Agency.
Meanwhile, Turkey also said it condemned the attack in Jeddah.
"We wish Allah’s mercy upon the Saudi security officers who lost their lives as a result of this heinous attack and a speedy recovery to the wounded," said a statement released by the foreign ministry.
"Furthermore, we convey our condolences to the brotherly government and the people of Saudi Arabia."
