Two time synchronized suicide attacks have been reported near the el-Omran Shia mosque in Qatif City and near the Prophet Muhammad's mosque in Medina. Residents report hearing multiple explosions at each location. Local media reports that several Saudi security personnel died in the blast at the mosque in Medina, but there are no AFP reports that there has been no civilian casualties at the site of the second attack in Qatif City. Saudi's Arabiya TV reports that at least one of the terrorists died upon explosion at the security headquarters in front of the mosque in Medina. 

Initial reports indicate that mass casualty events were averted due to the brave actions of security officials who would not allow the terrorists to enter the religious facilities forcing the attackers to instead blow themselves up outside the mosques.

The wave of attacks upon Muslim populations towards the end of Ramadan is consistent with the Daesh terror network whose leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has called on his followers to engage in a wave of terror to mark the Islamic holy month.

The attacks appear to be coordinated with several blasts outside of mosques in both Qatif and Medina at exactly the same time.

The blast in Qatif City appears by initial footage to have caused less damage although there are no official reports from authorities, yet.

The explosion near the Prophet's mosque in Medina has pushed smoke billowing into the sky with thousands of onlookers gazing in horror.

The assault on the Prophet's mosque in Medina, one of Islam's holiest sites, included three separate explosions around the perimeter.

(Sputnik)