‘Gulf citizens must now be more vigilant’

Commenting on the issue, the UAE’s Al Bayan said that the bloody attack against worshippers in a mosque was a flagrant act of aggression against every Muslim and innocent person. “This is a cowardly attack against Saudi Arabia’s unity and the stability of the entire region. The attack comes at a critical time. Attempts to stoke the fires of sectarian strife in the Gulf Cooperation Council only serve the interests of those who wish to harm the GCC, those looking for a pretext to intervene in the Gulf’s internal matters and to threaten its strategic security. This is simply an attack carried out by adversaries who envy the dignified life enjoyed by GCC citizens for decades. Gulf citizens must now be more vigilant than ever about such plans, not just by rejecting or denouncing them, but also by being well-prepared to identify and monitor those who have such destructive plans.”

There is a lack of real strategic cooperation to uncover the truth regarding just who is supporting these terrorist groups and facilitating their movement between regional states, said the pan-Arab paper Asharq Al Awsat. “It is impossible to believe that these groups operate independently and without the assistance of parties with ties to states that are facilitating their movement and operations. As for the required international strategic cooperation in this regard, it has been a case of one step forward and two steps back, even on issues such as terrorist groups’ use of social media. Daesh (the self-proclaimed Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant) used social media to claim responsibility for the Qatif attack. The group has eight accounts on Twitter and is able to freely move from one to the other and post whatever it likes. The same applies to thousands of terrorists who use social media networks, without there being any genuine effort to put an end to this absurdity that ultimately helps Daesh carry out its plans.”

Daesh know very well that this heinous act committed in Al Qadeeh will not affect the strong Saudi national cohesiveness, the country’s Al Yaum daily said. “This attack will not spark strife among Shiites and Sunnis, because people from both sects are not treated differently, and are equal in rights and duties towards their country. The attack on the Imam Ali Ibn Abi Talib mosque was carried out following reports in the past about [security forces] foiling Daesh’s attempt to smuggle explosives from Bahrain into Saudi Arabia. The brave and diligent security personnel of Saudi Arabia have set an example of professionalism in uncovering the criminal cell before it was able to carry out many acts of terrorism.”

The London-based Pan-Arab paper Al Hayat observed that the targeting of worshippers was a contemptible act of terrorism and a sign of weakness. “It is a crime that is intended to spark divisions following the attack in Al Dalwa, Saudi Arabia [in November last year targeting Shiites]. Anyone who promotes division either verbally or through writing is a partner in the crime and anyone who links the conflict with Iran as a conflict between Shiites and Sunnis has encouraged this terrorist to commit this crime. The terrorist and those who plotted the attack are under the illusion that a spark was needed for the flame ...”