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At least three people were injured in an “explosive attack” against the non-Muslim cemetery in the western Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah.
The incident took place on Wednesday morning during an international ceremony marking Armistice Day, which was attended by several Western diplomats.
A joint statement from the embassies of France, Greece, Italy, the United States of America and Great Britain says the cemetery was “the target of an improvised explosive device attack.”
A UK citizen suffered minor injuries and a Greek policeman was injured, according to the Greek Foreign Ministry.
The authorities have described the attack as “cowardly” and strongly condemned the incident.
“Such attacks on innocent people are shameful and completely without justification.”
“We wish the injured a speedy recovery and we thank the brave Saudi rescuers who helped those who were at the scene.”
“We pledge our support to the Saudi authorities as they investigate this attack and prosecute its perpetrators.”
Several countries are celebrating the 102nd anniversary of the armistice between Germany and the Allies, which marked the end of the First World War.
It is the second attack against French interests in Jeddah after a security guard was injured in a knife attack at the French embassy last month.
A Saudi man was arrested by authorities, but his motives remain unclear.
Wednesday’s explosion also comes in the context of a series of recent jihadist attacks against France and Austria.
French President Emmanuel Macron had vowed not to “renounce cartoons” of the prophet Muhammad in a national tribute to history professor Samuel Paty, who was beheaded by an Islamist near Paris on October 16 after teaching a class on freedom. expression.
In some Muslim-majority countries, worshipers reacted angrily to President Macron’s comments and launched a campaign to boycott French products.
France has urged its citizens in Saudi Arabia and other Muslim-majority countries to be on “high alert” amid intense tensions.
