A shooting near a mosque in Oman early Tuesday killed at least four people and wounded several others in a rare act of violence in the Gulf nation, police said. The attack occurred in Wadi al-Kabir, a district east of the capital, Muscat, during a major religious event for Shia Muslims. Video footage from the scene shows people fleeing near the Imam Ali Mosque as gunfire rings out. A voice can be heard saying, “Oh God!”
Omani police said they are taking “all necessary security measures and procedures … to handle the situation.” They reported an initial casualty toll of four dead and “several” injured. Authorities are gathering evidence and conducting investigations to uncover the circumstances surrounding the incident, police said on social media platform X. No motive or suspects were immediately identified.
A state of emergency was declared in the area. The attack comes as Shiites mark Ashura, an annual day of mourning commemorating the 7th-century martyrdom of Hussein. Many observe Ashura with pilgrimages to Imam Hussein’s shrine in Karbala, Iraq. Sunni Muslims also commemorate the day through fasting.
Violent incidents are rare in Oman, a country known for its role as a mediator in regional conflicts. With inputs from agencies.
