JEDDAH/KUWAIT CITY: A suicide bomber from a Daesh affiliate unleashed the first terrorist attack in Kuwait in more than two decades, killing at least 25 people and wounding scores more in a bombing that targeted Shiite worshippers during Friday prayers.
The bombing struck the Imam Sadiq Mosque in the residential neighborhood of Al-Sawabir in Kuwait City. It is one of the oldest Shiite mosques in Kuwait.
It was the third attack in five weeks to be claimed by a group calling itself the Najd Province.
Daesh had claimed two prior bombing attacks on Shiite mosques in Saudi Arabia that killed 26 people in late May.
The attack took place as worshippers were standing shoulder to shoulder in prayer, according to a witness at the mosque, Hassan Al-Haddad.
The explosion ripped through the back of the mosque, near the door, he said, adding that other worshippers behind him said they saw a man walk in, stand in the back with others and detonate his device.
The Ministry of Interior said 25 people were killed and 202 wounded. Police formed a cordon around the mosque’s complex immediately after the explosion.
A posting on a Twitter account known to belong to Daesh claimed the explosion was the work of a suicide bomber wearing an explosive belt. It said the attack was carried out by the Najd Province, which had also claimed the Saudi bombings.
Immediately after the attack, Kuwait’s Emir, Shaikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, visited the site of the attack. The Cabinet convened an emergency session
OIC Secretary-General Iyad Madani said that this terror strike could not be carried out by a Muslim. He said the terror group that committed this evil act has nothing to do with humanity or religion. "The perpetrators only insulted and distorted Islam."
The Council of Senior Scholars denounced the unspeakable crime and said it is a continuation of attempts to hit the national unity and stability of the Gulf Cooperation Council.
It stressed that those behind the ugly strike violated all human and religious values, and said its perpetrators have committed a great sin.