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Suicide bombers strike rebel-linked mosques in Yemen Suicide bombers strike rebel-linked mosques in Yemen
(35 minutes later)
BEIRUT — Suicide bombers in Yemen attacked mosques linked to powerful Shiite rebels on Friday, killing more than 40 people and injuring scores of others in a further sign the country was collapsing into sectarian chaos. BEIRUT — Suicide bombers in Yemen attacked mosques linked to powerful Shiite rebels on Friday, killing dozens of people and injuring hundreds of others in a further sign that the country may be collapsing into sectarian chaos.
Media reports in Yemen said the bombers targeted at least two mosque in the capital Sanaa used mainly by supporters of the Houthi insurgents, which have captured large parts of Yemen and are believed backed by Iran. Media reports in Yemen said as many as four bombers targeted at least two mosques in the capital, Sanaa, used mainly by supporters of Houthi insurgents, who have captured large parts of Yemen and are believed backed by Iran.
At least 46 people were killed and about 100 were injured in the twin attacks, the Associated Press reported, citing Yemeni medical officials. There were conflicting accounts of the death toll from the bombings. Reuters news agency reported that at least 87 people were killed and 260 wounded. A television station controlled by the Houthi rebels, al-Masirah TV, put the toll at 137 dead and 345 injured.
There were no immediate claims of responsibility. The group known as Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula has carried out similar attacks in the country, and the Sunni group considers the Shiite Houthis as apostates. The Islamic State, an al-Qaeda offshoot led by Sunni extremists, claimed responsibility for the attacks in a statement distributed via Twitter, Reuters reported. Earlier, supporters of the heavily armed group, which is also known as ISIS and ISIL, had welcomed the attacks in Twitter messages.
Radical Sunni militants consider Shiites as heretics and have attacked the sect’s mosques and worshipers in the past, notably in Iraq, where sectarian strife surged after a U.S.-led invasion toppled Sunni strongman Saddam Hussein in 2003 and led to the installation of a government dominated by Shiites.
Al-Qaeda’s affiliate in Yemen, known as al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), is also led by Sunni extremists and has previously carried out attacks similar to Friday’s mosque bombings.
[What happened to $500 million in Pentagon arms sent to Yemen?][What happened to $500 million in Pentagon arms sent to Yemen?]
Yemeni officials blamed the powerful al-Qaeda affiliate for a bombing in January at a police academy in the capital, Sanaa, that killed 40 people and wounded more than 70. One witness said he heard two blasts in quick succession at the Badr mosque in central Sanaa, where worshipers gathered for Friday prayers, Reuters reported.
The attack follows intense fighting in the southern city of Aden between forces loyal to President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi and military units thought to be under the control of Ali Abdullah Saleh, who was ousted as president because of an uprising in 2011. The state news agency SABA said the dead included a prominent Houthi cleric, Murtada al-Mahturi.
Yemeni officials blamed AQAP, the powerful al-Qaeda affiliate in Yemen, for a bombing in January at a police academy in Sanaa that killed 40 people and wounded more than 70.
The mosque attacks follow intense fighting in the southern city of Aden between forces loyal to President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi and military units thought to be under the control of Ali Abdullah Saleh, who was ousted as president because of an uprising in 2011.
Also on Thursday, Houthi militants attempted to attack the oil-rich province of Marib but were repelled by tribal forces, according to Yemeni officials.Also on Thursday, Houthi militants attempted to attack the oil-rich province of Marib but were repelled by tribal forces, according to Yemeni officials.
Hadi has established a governing authority in Aden that rivals the Houthi-controlled government in Sanaa.Hadi has established a governing authority in Aden that rivals the Houthi-controlled government in Sanaa.
In January, the Houthis put Hadi on house arrest in Sanaa, compelling him to resign. Last month, he fled Houthi captivity for the southern port city and rescinded his resignation, announcing that was the legitimate leader of the country. In January, the Houthis put Hadi under house arrest in Sanaa, compelling him to resign. Last month, he fled Houthi captivity for the southern port city and rescinded his resignation, announcing that he was the legitimate leader of the country.
William Branigin in Washington contributed to this report.
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