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REPORT: Islamic State claims responsibility for Yemen mosque bombing

Middle East

22-05-2015 | 04:44

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REPORT: Islamic State claims responsibility for Yemen mosque bombing

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A bomb exploded at a Shi'ite Houthi mosque in the Yemeni capital Sanaa on Friday (May 22) wounding 13 people, a security source said, and Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement on Twitter.

The security source added that the bomb was planted inside the al-Saiah mosque before Friday prayers and two out of those wounded are in a critical condition.

A second explosive device was found nearby hidden in a shoe, according to witness Mohammed al-Washah.

"They placed an explosive device that blew up during prayer time and thank God the casualties were minimal. After the first explosion, the people fled the mosque and we started searching and found a second explosive hidden in a shoe and the experts came and took it away," said Washah.

The bombing came against a backdrop of civil war in the country.

Iranian-backed Houthi rebels have seized large swathes of territory, including Sanaa, prompting the formation of a Saudi-backed Arab coalition that is using air power to try to halt their advances. Sunni Islamist militants have been seeking to extend their influence amid the chaos.

Earlier this year, a group of Islamist fighters in Yemen renounced their loyalty to al Qaeda's leader and pledged allegiance to the head of Islamic State.

In April, a new branch of the Islamic State group in Yemen issued a video showing what it said was the beheading of four Yemeni soldiers and the shooting of 10 others.

Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), al Qaeda's Yemeni wing, has killed hundreds in attacks across the country in recent years and has taken advantage of fighting in recent months to consolidate its hold in eastern regions.

REUTERS

To watch Nicole Hajal's report, please click on the VIDEO above

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