At least 142 killed as four suicide bombers target mosques in Yemen

At least 142 people have been killed and hundreds more injured after four suicide bombers attacked two mosques in the Yemeni capital Sanaa. The bombers struck during Friday prayers at mosques mainly used by supporters of the Shia Muslim Houthi group which recently seized control of the government. The attackers detonated their explosive belts inside and outside the buildings.

We express our condolences to the families of the victims, we deplore the brutality of the terrorists who perpetrated today’s unprovoked attack on Yemeni citizens, who were peacefully engaged in Friday prayers

White House spokesman Josh Earnest

A spokesman for the country’s health ministry said at least 30 of those wounded in the attacks were in a critical condition in intensive care. In an online statement, the previously unknown Sanaa branch of Islamic State claimed responsibility for the bombings and said they were “just the tip of the iceberg”. The U.S. condemned the attacks, but said it was too early to confirm whether IS was involved.

Yemen Middle East