Islamic State Claims Responsibility for Mosque Bombings in Yemen

The group known as the "Islamic State" has claimed responsibility for two explosions at a mosque in Yemen where Shiites pray. According to local officials, at least 28 people have been killed in these explosions. At least one of these attacks was a suicide bombing on September 2 against a mosque belonging to the Houthis in the al-Jaraf neighborhood of Sana'a, the capital of Yemen. The Al-Mu'id mosque, where the explosions occurred, had previously been targeted in attacks. News agencies quote medical officials on the scene as saying that at least 75 people were also injured as a result of these explosions. The Saba news agency, which is controlled by the Houthi rebels in Yemen, states that the first explosion was a suicide bombing, followed by the detonation of a car bomb that targeted rescuers. Yemen has been experiencing renewed tensions since the Houthi rebels forced the government led by Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi to resign. The advance of the Houthis, who are supported by Iranian officials, has faced a reaction from Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia has formed a coalition and has been conducting airstrikes against the Houthis since March. Hadi's supporters are also engaged in ground battles with the Houthis and their allies, supporters of former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh. More than 4,500 people have been killed in the conflicts of recent months. On Wednesday, two employees of the International Red Cross were also shot and killed. It is still unclear which group or individuals are responsible for this unprecedented attack on international aid workers. In this context, the United Nations has warned of a famine outbreak in Yemen, stating that around 400 children have been killed in the past five months. Dozens have been killed in the city of Taiz, Yemen. The President of Yemen states that his supporters are fighting the Houthis to prevent "Iranian expansionism."