Mustafa Mohammed, a security officer working for the compound, told Arab News the ban was imposed on explicit orders from the general manager.

The decision was taken to prevent different newspapers and television stations from filing differing and potentially inaccurate reports, he said.

“For the first three days we were allowing journalists to come in. But then everyone started filing different reports. You’d find Okaz filing one report, for example. A different report would be filed by Al-Arabia satellite channel, and another one by Arab News,” he added.

He said that banning the press from entering would put a stop to these differing reports, adding there would be “no exceptions” in allowing anyone in.

Several diplomats from countries whose nationals were killed last Monday evening in the attacks on the compound were also prevented from entering.

The general manager of the compound, Riad Al-Hindi, was not available for comment.

Al-Hamra compound, located in the Gharnata district, was the first target of a series of suicide attacks here on Monday. The explosion in the compound took place at 11:10 pm according to the Ministry of Interior. Eyewitnesses said that men opened fire at security guards and then forced their way in by the back gate.

They also opened fire on people in the compound before setting off a powerful explosion. Investigations later showed that the terrorists detonated bombs in their cars.