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Update: IS claims Saudi Shiite mosque blast, countries condemn

Xinhua, May 23, 2015 Adjust font size:

The Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility for a blast that killed at least 21 people on Friday at a Shiite mosque in eastern Saudi Arabia.

"The soldiers of the Caliphate" were behind the attack by a suicide bomber "who detonated an explosives belt" in the mosque, the IS said in a statement, which identified the suicide bomber as Abu 'Ammar al-Najdi.

The explosion that targeted "Imam Ali" Mosque in Qudaih area of the Saudi city of Qatif also left 66 Shiite worshipers injured, local Al Arabiya news reported.

An interior ministry spokesman said an investigation has been launched into the incident.

Following the attack, countries in the region have come forward to condemn the blast.

Lebanese Prime Minister Tammam Salam said on Friday the blast was a "cowardice act" that is not related to Islam and Muslims in any way.

In the United Arab Emirates, foreign minister Dr. Anwar bin Mohammed Gargash said his country rejects terrorism in all of its forms, and urged the international community to rally efforts to confront such cowardly acts and devious thoughts.

Last November, three masked gunmen killed five Shiites and injured nine others in the eastern town of Aldaloh in Ahsa Governorate.

Saudi authorities arrested six suspects in connection with November's attack.

Most of Saudi Arabia's minority Shiites live in the eastern region, where they have long protested against marginalization in the Sunni-dominated kingdom.

Saudi security authorities have been involved in a war against internal terror and extremism. Terror cells linked to the IS have been recently dismantled. Endit