Bomb attack in Kuwait Shia mosque kills 13
By
Reuters /
AFP
Published: June 26, 2015
Kuwaiti security forces and emergency personnel gather outside the Shia Al-Imam al Sadeq mosque after it was targeted by a suicide bombing during Friday prayers on June 26, 2015, in Kuwait City. PHOTO: AFP
KUWAIT: A suicide bomber attacked a Shia mosque in the Kuwaiti capital during the main weekly prayers Friday killing 13 and wounding dozens, officials and witnesses said.
The blast hit Al-Imam al-Sadeq mosque in Kuwait City, security officials and witnesses said.
The official
KUNA news agency confirmed that there were “dead and wounded.”
A witness told AFP “dozens were killed and wounded,” and pictures circulating on social media showed several bloodied bodies in the mosque amid debris.
A security official said “it is a suicide bombing.”
Witnesses gave a similar account, saying a suicide bomber entered the mosque during the weekly noon prayers.
An AFP photographer who arrived at the site after the bombing said the area was cordoned off by police.
Friday’s attack is the first such bombing targeting Kuwaiti Shias, who make up around one-third of the country’s native population of 1.3 million people.
Read: 20 killed as suicide bomber strikes Shia mosque in Saudi Arabia
Earlier last month, four people were killed when a car exploded near a Shia mosque in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, but authorities said militants failed in their bid to hit the mosque itself.
Security forces became suspicious of a car parked near the mosque which exploded as they walked towards it, killing four people and setting cars beside it on fire, Saudi news agency
SPA said. One of those killed is suspected of being the driver.
A witness identified only as Ahmed said he was with his family near the al Anoud Mosque when “a quick explosion” happened.
He did not know the cause of the blast. He said acquaintances at the mosque told him a man was killed along with a bomber when the man tried to prevent him from reaching the building. Another witness said a passer-by was also killed in the blast.
Read: Pakistan condemns terrorist attack at Saudi mosque
Islamic State claims responsibility for Kuwait mosque attack-statement
Meanwhile, militant group Islamic State claimed responsibility for a suicide attack on the Shia mosque, according a statement posted on social media.
The statement identified the bomber as Abu Suleiman al Muwahed and said the target was a “temple of the rejectionists” – a term used by the militant group to refer to Shia Muslims – and said dozens were killed or wounded.
