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Deadly blasts in rebel-held Sanaa

September 24, 2015

A mosque in Yemen's rebel-held capital has been rocked by explosions. At least 24 people were killed, according to Houthi rebels. "Islamic State" claimed responsibility for the suicide bombings.

https://p.dw.com/p/1GcDf
Jemen Bombenanschlag auf Moschee in Sanaa
Image: Reuters/K. Abdullah

A rebel website said Sanaa's Blili Mosque was attacked by two suicide bombers during prayers as worshippers began the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, the feast of sacrifice.

At least 24 people were killed in the explosions, and medics quoted by the AFP news agency said dozens of other people had been wounded. The militant "Islamic State" group claimed responsibility for Thursday's explosions.

Simultaneous bombings claimed by the militant group "Islamic State" (IS) on June 17 killed more than 30 people and left dozens wounded.

Last Monday, thousands of sympathizers of the Iran-backed rebels thronged Sanaa to mark a year since the rebel capture of the city that prompted Saudi-led air strikes.

On Tuesday, Yemen's President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi returned to Aden, Yemen's second-biggest city, after six months of exile in Riyadh, the Saudi capital.

Pro-government troops evicted rebels from Aden in July and then made a push north by capturing several key southern areas.

Warplanes of the Saudi-led coalition reportedly made multiple air strikes against Houthi positions on Tuesday, focusing on the provinces of Taiz and Marib.

ipj/sms (AP, AFP, Reuters)