Islamic State strikes in Oman
Photos and Details
Last night, 16 July, the Islamic State (IS) claimed, via its official media outlet Amaq News Agency, an attack on a Shia mosque in the al-Wadi al-Kabir area in the capital Muscat, Oman.
The Islamic State has already struck Shia worshippers in Afghanistan and Pakistan this year.
The attack against Shia is part of the Islamic State’s operational strategies. In a separate statement, IS central media stated and warned that “Shia Muslims will be targeted everywhere”
The statement released by Amaq News Agency states:
“More than 35 Shia and Omani people were killed and injured in a specific attack by Islamic State fighters in Oman's capital, Muscat. Security sources told the Amaq news agency that three Islamic State Inghamasi attacked a gathering of Shia last night as they practised their annual rituals in their temple in the Al-Wadi Al-Kabir area of the capital. The sources added that the fighters opened fire with machine guns on the Shia, then clashed with Omani forces who had arrived on the scene, and the clashes continued until this morning. The sources indicated that the attack resulted in the killing and wounding of more than 30 Shia and five members of the Omani security forces, including a police officer”.
Amaq News Agency, also released a detailed photo of the three bombers and a video of about 30 seconds in which IS militants are shown firing into the crowd in the courtyard of the mosque.
The Omani police said that six people were killed, including a policeman, and 28 were injured, thus confirming IS reports. According to police sources, the 3 attackers were later neutralised.
This type of attack should not be surprising, as the Islamic State has often targeted Shia in areas where it did not operate directly through a province. Moreover, in its official and semi-official propaganda, IS media have usually encouraged its members or supporters to engage in this type of terrorist operation.
Although the claim states only “Oman” without any reference to a specific Islamic State province, it was likely carried out by the organisation's Yemeni province (IS-YEMEN-ISY), or it may have provided logistical and military support.
Daniele Garofalo is a researcher and analyst on Jihadist Terrorism, Islamist Insurgents and Armed Groups. He is an expert in Monitoring Jihadist Media Channels and Islamist rebels and Armed Groups.
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