IS claims deadly bomb attacks on Yemen Shia mosque

AFP , Wednesday 2 Sep 2015

Shia mosque
In this frame grab from video, security forces and emergency personnel inspect the site of a deadly suicide bombing that occurred during the evening call to prayers at a mosque in Yemen's rebel-held capital, Sanaa, Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2015. (Photo:AP)

The Islamic State group claimed twin bombings of a Shia mosque that killed at least 28 people and wounded 75 in the Yemeni capital Wednesday.

The militant group, which has claimed similar bombings in the past, said a man named Qusai al-Sanaani blew himself inside the mosque and that a bomb-laden vehicle parked nearby subsequently exploded.

The attack was to "avenge Muslims against the Rafidah (Shia)," said the statement on Twitter.

IS has claimed similar bombings of Shia mosques in Sanaa.

It considers Shias to be heretics and has also bombed their mosques in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

Witnesses earlier gave AFP a slightly different account, saying the suicide attack took place outside the mosque, after which a bomb-laden car driven by another suicide attacker exploded.

But a security official quoted sabanews.net, the website of the Shiite rebels controlling the capital, confirmed the IS account of the incident.

He also confirmed the death toll of 28 killed and 75 wounded provided by medics but said it was "not final."

*This story was edited by Ahram Online.

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