10 worshippers killed in Yemen’s Houthi Mosque before Eid; Islamic State claims responsibility

At least 10 Muslim worshippers performing Eid al-Adha prayers at a mosque in Yemen have been killed after an Islamic suicide bomber dressed up as a woman blew himself up on Thursday. According to the security forces, the mosque where the bombing took place was run by Yemen's Houthi group.

The Islamic state group claimed responsibility for the attack at the al-Balili mosque, killing and injuring dozens of Shi’ite Muslims. "In a security operation facilitated by God as part of the acts of revenge for Muslims from the rejectionist Houthis, brother Abu Omar al-Hadidi waded into a crowd of apostate Houthis at al-Balili temple, detonated his suicide belt causing dozens to perish or to be injured...," the statement released by the Islamic State branch in Yemen said.

According to Reuters, a Houthi website claimed that at least 10 people died on spot whereas Arab Media reported that as many as 25 people were dead as a result of the suicide bombing. There have been reports of many such similar incidents after the Houthis, allies of Iran, seized Sanaa a year ago and sent President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi into exile in Saudi Arabia.

Since the crisis began, almost 4,500 people have lost their lives and the place has now become the breeding ground of the Islamic State militants. Several witnesses said there was noise of two explosions, one followed by the other, while people were busy celebrating Eid al-Adha, the feast of sacrifice.

"We gathered to rescue the wounded. The situation is very painful and blood is everywhere," Nayef, who lives nearby, said. Immediately, the area was cordoned off by the Houthi fighters, who ordered onlookers to avoid the area. It has been reported that this the second attack in Yemen’s capital in a month, targeting the Shi'ite Zaydi group.

In another instance, residents of northern Yemen said six members of a same family, including four children, died after Arab coalition conducted airstrikes targeting the Houthis in Hajjah province. Two other people were also wounded in the attack.

The former bombing, which took place on Sep. 2 in northern Sanaa, killed at least 28 people were killed and left as many as 75 wounded. Similarly in March, Islamic State suicide bombers had killed at least 137 worshippers and wounded more than hundred people by attacking two mosque at the same time during Friday prayers in Sanaa.

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