Six individuals, including four Pakistani nationals, lost their lives, and nearly 30 others were injured in a shooting near a Shiite mosque in Muscat, Oman, officials reported on Tuesday. This rare incident has shaken the otherwise peaceful Gulf nation.
The attack occurred on Monday as Shiites were observing Ashura, a day of mourning that commemorates the seventh-century death of Imam Hussein, who is revered by Shiites as the rightful successor to the Prophet Mohammed.
“The Royal Oman Police responded to a shooting incident near a mosque in the Al-Wadi Al-Kabir area,” a police statement read.
The three gunmen involved in the attack were killed, and police have concluded their response operations. The incident resulted in six deaths, including a police officer, and 28 people from various nationalities were wounded, including rescuers and paramedics.
The Pakistani foreign ministry confirmed that at least four Pakistanis were among those killed. Four Pakistanis were martyred in the terrorist attack on the Ali bin Abi Talib mosque,” the ministry stated, adding that another 30 Pakistanis were receiving medical treatment.
READ MORE: Iran and Russia Sign Landmark Agreement on Payment Systems Integration
Verified footage shows people fleeing the Imam Ali Mosque amid gunfire, with voices crying out, “oh God” and “oh Hussein.
Pakistan’s ambassador to Oman, Imran Ali, told AFP that the mosque is primarily attended by South Asian expatriates. Oman is home to approximately 400,000 Pakistanis. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his sorrow over the attack, stating, “Pakistan stands in solidarity with the Sultanate of Oman and offers full assistance in the investigation.”
Held Hostage
Ambassador Ali described the attack as beginning with gunfire from a building adjacent to the mosque, where hundreds had gathered for prayers. The worshippers were held hostage by militants before being freed by Omani forces. Ali noted the lack of information regarding the attackers and their motives, describing the situation as “difficult.”
On Tuesday, Ali visited hospitals to see the wounded and urged Pakistanis in Oman to cooperate with authorities and avoid the mosque area. “We are in touch with Omani authorities and hospitals. Our officers are ready to donate blood if needed,” he said, adding that a hotline has been established to assist the wounded and their families.
The US embassy in Muscat issued a security alert following the attack, canceling all visa appointments for Tuesday and advising US citizens to remain vigilant.
Investigations Underway
Omani police assured that “all necessary security measures and procedures have been taken to handle the situation.” Authorities are actively gathering evidence and conducting investigations to uncover the circumstances of the incident.
The attack area remained cordoned off on Tuesday, with journalists unable to access the mosque. Oman, with a population of over four million, includes a significant number of expatriate workers, primarily from South Asia. Shiites constitute a small minority in the predominantly Muslim country, where most follow Sunni or Ibadi branches.
While the Gulf region has seen several attacks on Shiite mosques in recent years, this is the first such incident in Oman. In 2015, a suicide attack on a Shiite mosque in Kuwait killed at least 27 worshippers and wounded more than 200, an attack claimed by the Sunni extremist group, Islamic State (IS). The same year, IS claimed responsibility for two attacks on Shiite mosques in Saudi Arabia, resulting in at least 25 deaths. In 2005, a former teacher in Muscat opened fire in a government building, killing two people and wounding several others before committing suicide.
