On Tuesday (16th July), four people were killed and numerous more were injured in a shooting near a mosque in Oman’s capital, Muscat. The incident occurred near the Imam Ali Mosque in Oman’s Wadi al-Kabir. Reports say that a gathering of Shias from an Asian nation was the target of the attack.
Omani counterterrorism forces are handling the situation. Over 700 people are reported to be trapped inside while security officers take on the attackers.
فيديو متداول لحادثة إطلاق النار التي وقعت قبل قليل في الوادي الكبير بولاية #مطرح في #سلطنة_عمان pic.twitter.com/vbREvacLdk
— العربية – سلطنة عُمان (@Alarabiya_Oman) July 15, 2024
In an official statement, the Royal Oman Police said, “The Royal Oman Police dealt with a shooting incident in the vicinity of a mosque in the Wadi Al Kabir region, which resulted in the death of four people and the injury of a number of others, according to preliminary information. All security measures and measures have been taken to deal with the situation, and procedures for collecting evidence and investigation are being completed. The Royal Oman Police expresses its deepest condolences. Sincere condolences to the families of the deceased, Wishing a speedy recovery to the injured.”
بيان حول حادثة إطلاق نار في منطقة الوادي الكبير..#شرطة_عمان_السلطانية pic.twitter.com/7MSURU3LLQ
— شرطة عُمان السلطانية (@RoyalOmanPolice) July 16, 2024
Several videos of the attack have surfaced on social media. One video of the incident shows people fleeing near the Imam Ali Mosque, with its minaret visible, as gunshots rang out. In the video, a voice can be heard exclaiming “Oh God” and repeating “Oh Hussein.”
🚨#BREAKING: There is a ongoing terriost attack right now; Reports of 5+ people killed in the attack by gunfire at Wadi Kabeer, Muscat, #Oman; More than 700 people trapped inside as security forces fire back. pic.twitter.com/T7602gKPm9
— World Source News 24/7 (@Worldsource24) July 15, 2024
Notably, the attack comes at a time when Shias are marking Ashura this week, an annual day of mourning commemorating Hussein’s ‘martyrdom’ in the seventh century.
