Terrorism

Bomber killed, two policemen wounded in blast outside US consulate in Jeddah

Smoke billowing from the US consulate in the Saudi Red Sea city of Jeddah 06 December 2004, Gunmen stormed the US consulate in Jeddah today, killing four guardsmen and seizing local staff in a hail of gunfire in the latest attack against foreigners in the oil-rich kingdom.
STR | AFP | Getty Images

A suicide bomber was killed and two other people wounded in a blast outside the U.S. consulate in Saudi Arabia's second city of Jeddah early on Monday, state TV said, the first bombing in years to attempt to target foreigners in the kingdom.

The attacker parked his car outside a hospital near the consulate at about 2.15 a.m. and shortly afterwards his device detonated, killing him and lightly wounding two security men nearby, it said, quoting a security spokesman.

Istanbul blast has 'hallmark of ISIS': Expert
VIDEO4:4204:42
Istanbul blast has 'hallmark of ISIS': Expert

Three further blasts rocked the location of the bombing, a witness told Reuters, as police carried out what appeared to be controlled explosions near the site.

A video sent by the witness showed police taking cover behind vehicles and covering their ears before an explosion sounded.

Reuters could not immediately reach officials to give more details. A photograph on the Sabq news website showed what appeared to be the remains of a man lying next to a taxi.

Waging war against terrorism
VIDEO2:0402:04
Waging war against terrorism

The witness said the area had been closed off by the security forces and that helicopters were flying overhead. He said the explosion appeared to have taken place about 20 meters (65 feet) from the gate of the consulate.

Islamic State has carried out a series of bombing and shooting attacks in Saudi Arabia since mid-2014 that have killed scores of people, mostly members of the Shi'ite Muslim minority and security services.

A decade ago, an al Qaeda campaign focused on Western expatriates in the world's top oil exporter, killing hundreds in attacks on businesses and residential compounds. One 2004 attack hit the U.S. consulate in Jeddah, killing nine.

Follow CNBC International on Twitter and Facebook.