ABU DHABI // A member of the Saudi security forces was killed and three others injured when they were hit by an explosive device while on patrol in the eastern Qatif governorate, the ministry of interior has said, describing it as a "terrorist" act.
Tuesday's incident was the latest in a series of attacks on security forces in Qatif, located in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province.
The interior ministry's security spokesman said an investigation had been launched into the attack in the Al Musawara area, which killed Vice Sergeant Adel Faleh Al Otaibi.
The UAE and other GCC countries — including Bahrain and Kuwait — condemned the assault, reiterating their support for Saudi Arabia and its efforts to maintain security and stability.
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation also said it stood behind the kingdom and its work to combat terrorism.
Authorities have been bulldozing Al Musawara, a historic neighbourhood with narrow streets dating back more than 200 years, to make way for an urban renewal project. Local officials say wanted militants believed to be behind attacks on security forces have been using the narrow streets to escape arrest.
Last month, a Saudi soldier was killed and two members of the security forces wounded when an explosive device went off during a patrol in the area.
Discontent among Qatif's Shiite community and general crime are behind a wave of violence in the area, along with ISIL-claimed attacks.
* With additional reporting by Reuters
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
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Anxiety and work stress major factors
Anxiety, work stress and social isolation are all factors in the recogised rise in mental health problems.
A study UAE Ministry of Health researchers published in the summer also cited struggles with weight and illnesses as major contributors.
Its authors analysed a dozen separate UAE studies between 2007 and 2017. Prevalence was often higher in university students, women and in people on low incomes.
One showed 28 per cent of female students at a Dubai university reported symptoms linked to depression. Another in Al Ain found 22.2 per cent of students had depressive symptoms - five times the global average.
It said the country has made strides to address mental health problems but said: “Our review highlights the overall prevalence of depressive symptoms and depression, which may long have been overlooked."
Prof Samir Al Adawi, of the department of behavioural medicine at Sultan Qaboos University in Oman, who was not involved in the study but is a recognised expert in the Gulf, said how mental health is discussed varies significantly between cultures and nationalities.
“The problem we have in the Gulf is the cross-cultural differences and how people articulate emotional distress," said Prof Al Adawi.
“Someone will say that I have physical complaints rather than emotional complaints. This is the major problem with any discussion around depression."
Daniel Bardsley