This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/kuwait-mosque-explosion-possible-isis-bomb-attack-launched-on-shia-muslims-during-ramadan-friday-prayers-10347740.html

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Kuwait mosque explosion: 'Isis' bombs Shia Muslims during Ramadan Friday prayers Kuwait mosque explosion: 'Isis' bombs Shia Muslims during Ramadan Friday prayers
(about 7 hours later)
Isis militants have claimed responsibility for a deadly bomb attack on a Shia mosque during Friday prayers in Kuwait, just a couple of hours after an attack on a factory in the south of France. Isis-affiliated militants have claimed responsibility for a deadly bomb attack on a Shia mosque during Friday prayers in Kuwait, just a couple of hours after an attack on a factory in the south of France.
At least 16 people have died following the explosion at the al-Imam al-Sadiq mosque in al-Sawaber, with images posted to Twitter showing the extent of the devastation and what appeared to be a number of bodies lying among the rubble. At least 25 people died following the explosion at the al-Imam al-Sadiq mosque in al-Sawaber, with images posted to Twitter showing the extent of the devastation and what appeared to be a number of bodies lying among the rubble.
Kuwaiti paramedic Abdelrahman al-Yusef confirmed the death toll had risen, and that the victims were mainly men and boys attending the mosque to pray. A group purportedly affiliated with Isis, calling itself the Najd Province, claimed responsibility for the attack, which injured 202 people according to the interior ministry, in Sawaber in the east of the Kuwaiti capital.
He said that medics had so far treated at least 179 people for injuries sustained in the blast. Kuwaiti paramedic Abdelrahman al-Yusef confirmed that the victims were mainly men and boys attending the mosque to pray.
In a statement posted via its affiliated social media accounts, Isis said it had carried out the attack which occurred at the height of Ramadan prayers when the mosque would have been at its busiest.In a statement posted via its affiliated social media accounts, Isis said it had carried out the attack which occurred at the height of Ramadan prayers when the mosque would have been at its busiest.
The statement identified the bomber as Abu Suleiman al-Muwahed and said the target was a "temple of the rejectionists" - a term used by Isis to refer to Shia Muslims.The statement identified the bomber as Abu Suleiman al-Muwahed and said the target was a "temple of the rejectionists" - a term used by Isis to refer to Shia Muslims.
In the immediate aftermath of the attack, Quilliam’s Charlie Winter suggested that Isis supporters on Twitter were “getting very animated” over the reports.In the immediate aftermath of the attack, Quilliam’s Charlie Winter suggested that Isis supporters on Twitter were “getting very animated” over the reports.
Earlier, the Kuwaiti newspaper al-Jarida said "eight casualties have been taken to the Emiri hospital, two in critical condition". It was unclear whether any of the eight were among those reported dead. Khalil al-Salih, an MP who was at the Imam al-Sadeq Mosque when the attack occurred, said worshippers were kneeling in prayer when the bomber walked in and detonated his explosives, destroying walls and the ceiling.
“It was obvious from the suicide bomber’s body that he was young,” he said. “He walked into the prayer hall during sujood [kneeling in prayer]. He looked … in his 20s. I saw him with my own eyes.”
It was the third attack in five weeks to be claimed by the Najd Province. The group had claimed two previous bombing attacks on Shia mosques in Saudi Arabia that killed more than two dozen people in late May. Before that the group was seemingly unknown. The bombing on Friday was believed to be the first terror attack in Kuwait for decades.
There was shock among some Twitter users that the attack was carried out on Muslims praying on a Friday during the holy month of Ramadan.There was shock among some Twitter users that the attack was carried out on Muslims praying on a Friday during the holy month of Ramadan.
There has not yet been a claim of responsibility in relation to the attack Meanwhile in France, an attack believed to involve two men carrying black Islamist flags was launched on the Air Products factory near Lyon.There has not yet been a claim of responsibility in relation to the attack Meanwhile in France, an attack believed to involve two men carrying black Islamist flags was launched on the Air Products factory near Lyon.
One man has been arrested, while the decapitated remains of a body have been founded. Several others have been reported injured.One man has been arrested, while the decapitated remains of a body have been founded. Several others have been reported injured.
And in Tunisia at least one gunman is reported to have been killed in an assault on a hotel in the Tunisian seaside town of Sousse.And in Tunisia at least one gunman is reported to have been killed in an assault on a hotel in the Tunisian seaside town of Sousse.
The attack came three months after three Islamist gunmen shot dead dozens of people at the Bardo museum in the coutry’s capital Tunis.The attack came three months after three Islamist gunmen shot dead dozens of people at the Bardo museum in the coutry’s capital Tunis.