Saudi Arabia has rejected viral social-media claims of a suicide bombing attempt at the Grand Mosque in Mecca, saying the incident involved a man who was arrested for harassing passersby and spreading fear among pilgrims — not for carrying an explosive device. The kingdom's General Directorate of Public Security said there is "no truth" to the claims circulating online.
What the viral video showed
A video that spread rapidly on X, TikTok and Telegram showed security personnel tackling and subduing a man who appeared to carry a black bag inside the Grand Mosque complex. Sensation-seeking posts reframed the arrest as a narrow escape from a terror attack, with some outlets — including RT — reporting that the suspect was a suicide bomber who tried to detonate an explosive vest near the Kaaba, the cuboid building at the centre of the Masjid al-Haram that is the holiest site and direction of prayer in Islam.
The official denial
In a statement posted on X on October 1, Saudi's General Directorate of Public Security said: "Security authorities in the holy capital arrested a person for harassing passersby and spreading fear and panic among them, and he was dealt with immediately." The statement added: "The security authorities confirm that there is no truth to the claims being circulated regarding the incident."
Saudi authorities said a probe into the incident has been launched, legal measures were taken, and the case has been referred to the Public Prosecution. No details of the arrested man's identity were released, and officials gave no indication that explosives were found. They urged the public and media to rely solely on official communications rather than unverified clips.
The wider context
The clarification comes amid heightened tensions in the region. The Saudi-led coalition said this week that a drone struck the Taibah electricity distribution station in Medina — which supplies power to the Prophet's Mosque — knocking a transformer offline, a claim the Houthis denied. Saudi authorities last month also accused the Houthis of attacking Mecca. Fighting in Yemen has intensified, with government forces saying they hit Houthi targets.
Sources: 'Fake News': Saudi On 'Suicide Bomber' Video From Mecca Mosque — NDTV, After bomb scare, Saudi Arabia denies any attack on Grand Mosque — Firstpost
What the viral video showed
A video that spread rapidly on X, TikTok and Telegram showed security personnel tackling and subduing a man who appeared to carry a black bag inside the Grand Mosque complex. Sensation-seeking posts reframed the arrest as a narrow escape from a terror attack, with some outlets — including RT — reporting that the suspect was a suicide bomber who tried to detonate an explosive vest near the Kaaba, the cuboid building at the centre of the Masjid al-Haram that is the holiest site and direction of prayer in Islam.
The official denial
In a statement posted on X on October 1, Saudi's General Directorate of Public Security said: "Security authorities in the holy capital arrested a person for harassing passersby and spreading fear and panic among them, and he was dealt with immediately." The statement added: "The security authorities confirm that there is no truth to the claims being circulated regarding the incident."
Saudi authorities said a probe into the incident has been launched, legal measures were taken, and the case has been referred to the Public Prosecution. No details of the arrested man's identity were released, and officials gave no indication that explosives were found. They urged the public and media to rely solely on official communications rather than unverified clips.
The wider context
The clarification comes amid heightened tensions in the region. The Saudi-led coalition said this week that a drone struck the Taibah electricity distribution station in Medina — which supplies power to the Prophet's Mosque — knocking a transformer offline, a claim the Houthis denied. Saudi authorities last month also accused the Houthis of attacking Mecca. Fighting in Yemen has intensified, with government forces saying they hit Houthi targets.
Sources: 'Fake News': Saudi On 'Suicide Bomber' Video From Mecca Mosque — NDTV, After bomb scare, Saudi Arabia denies any attack on Grand Mosque — Firstpost
