Yemen reels after IS mosque attacks

SANAA, Saturday

Multiple suicide bombings claimed by the Islamic State group killed at least 142 people Friday at Shiite mosques in Yemen’s capital — one of the strife-torn country’s deadliest ever jihadist attacks.

The killings were the first claimed by IS in Yemen and represent a strong show of force by the group in a country where rival Al-Qaeda is the most prominent jihadist organisation, and which reacted by saying it would not attack mosques.

Charred bodies and pools of blood were seen at the site of the blasts, which targeted supporters of the Huthi Shiite militia that has seized control of the capital Sanaa.

Worshippers rushed the wounded to hospitals in pick-up trucks, while others removed mutilated bodies.

One suicide bomber struck inside Badr mosque in southern Sanaa while another targeted worshippers as they fled outside, witnesses said.

A third suicide bomber targeted Al-Hashush mosque in northern Sanaa, while a fourth struck outside the mosque, according to the Saba news agency, which is now controlled by the Huthis.

Nashwan al-Atab, a member of the health ministry’s operations committee, told AFP 142 people were killed and at least 351 wounded.

Huthi TV said hospitals had made urgent appeals for blood donations.

The imam of the Badr mosque was among the dead, a medical source said.

Another suicide bomber blew himself up outside a mosque in the northern Huthi stronghold of Saada, a source close to the militia said.

Only the assailant was killed, and tight security at the mosque prevented the bomber from going inside, the source added.

In an online statement, the Sanaa branch of IS said the attacks were “just the tip of the iceberg”.

“Infidel Huthis should know that the soldiers of the Islamic State will not rest until they eradicate them... and cut off the arm of the Safavid (Iranian) plan in Yemen,” the statement said.

IRAN SUPPORT

The Huthis are accused of receiving support from Iran.

IS, a radical Sunni Muslim organisation, considers Shiites to be heretics.

Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula issued a statement saying it had nothing to do with the bombings.

“We stress that we abide by the instructions of Sheikh Ayman Zawahiri, to avoid targeting mosques and markets... to protect the lives of innocent Muslims,” it said.

The United States condemned the bombings but said it could not confirm the veracity of the IS claim of responsibility.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon also strongly condemned the “terrorist attacks” and called on all sides to end hostilities.