ISLAMBAD – An Arab media outlet quoted US sources as saying that SaudiCrown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has been wounded in the April 21 coup andshootings in his palace.
The Arabic-language Sawt al-Arab news website quoted the American sourcesas saying that the Saudi crown prince has been injured during the shootingincident in al-Khazami region, adding that he was taken out of the scenewith a helicopter.
According to the website, although the Saudi media have released a numberof images of bin Salman after the incident whose date cannot be confirmed,it is not yet clear if he has been treated or is still hospitalized for hisinjuries.
Meantime, Saudi whistle-blower Mujtahid, who is believed to be a member ofor have a well-connected source in the royal family, wrote on his twitterpage that rumors have increased about the injury of bin Salman duringal-Khazami incident, noting that the plan to release images of the crownprince to prove his survival has failed.
Also, the British newspaper, Observer, released a report, raising doubtsabout the survival of bin Salman during the April 21 coup, stressing thatthe media outlets have now focused on the possibility of his injury.
Bin Salman who is also the Saudi defense minister has not appeared in thepublic after the April 21 coup in his palace and continues to be absent inpublic gatherings, noting that he was not seen among a host of Riyadhofficials at the cadets graduation ceremony in King Abdolaziz militarycollege on May 19 either.
The Saudi defense ministry announced in a statement on May 19 that Riyadhruler Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdolaziz has attended the ceremony instead ofbin Salman.
The statement declined to comment on the reason of bin Salman’s absencewhile naturally the defense minister should participate in such ceremonies.
Earlier this month, an Iranian daily reported that bin Salman is likelydead after an assassination attempt on his life last month, claiming intelfrom the security service of an Arab state.
According to the Persian-language newspaper, Keyhan, a secret servicereport sent to the senior officials of an unnamed Arab state disclosed thatbin Salman has been hit by two bullets during the April 21 attack on hispalace, adding that he might well be dead as he has never appeared in thepublic ever since.
Heavy gunfire was heard near the Saudi King’s palace in Riyadh Saudi Arabiaon April 21, while King Salman was taken to a US bunker at an airbase inthe city.
A growing number of videos surfaced the media at the time displaying that aheavy gunfire erupted around King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud’s palace inthe capital, Riyadh.
Reports said the king and his son, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, wereevacuated to a bunker at an airbase in the city that is under theprotection of the US troops.
While Saudi officials and media were quiet over the incident, there werecontradicting reports over the incident. Witnesses and residents of theneighborhoods near the palace said a coup was underway, adding that thesoldiers attacking the palace were guided by footage and intel they werereceiving from a drone flying over the palace.