Iran has condemned the terrorist bomb attacks that hit mosques crowded with worshippers in the Yemen’s capital, Sana’a, warning against plots by enemies to incite insecurity and instability in the country.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham said on Friday that at a time that Yemen needs stability and peace “more than ever,” its enemies intend to achieve their vicious objectives by creating insecurity and instability through such terrorist acts.
She expressed hope that everyone in Yemen, from the ordinary people to political parties, would manage to restore peace and stability to the country through vigilance, political participation and continued dialog.
Three bomb attacks were carried out at two mosques in Sana’a on Friday. At least 142 people were killed and 351 suffered injuries in the blasts targeting Badr and al-Hashoosh mosques.
A branch of the ISIL terrorist group in Yemen claimed responsibility for the bombings in an online statement, warning that the attacks were “just the tip of the iceberg.”
The blasts came against the backdrop of intense gun battles between supporters and opponents of fugitive President Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi in the southern port city of Aden. More than a dozen people died in the fighting, which also forced closure of the Aden International Airport.
Hadi, along with members of Prime Minister Khaled Bahah’s cabinet, stepped down in late January, but the parliament did not approve the president's resignation. The president fled his home in Sana’a on February 21, after weeks under effective house arrest and went to Aden, Yemen’s second largest city, where he officially withdrew his resignation and highlighted his intention to resume duties. This came after the Houthi fighters took control of Sana’a in September 2014.
SF/HSN/SS