142 killed in Yemen bombings

351 also wounded in suicide bombings at two mosques during Friday prayers in Sanaa


Reuters March 21, 2015
351 also wounded in suicide bombings at two mosques during Friday prayers in Sanaa. STOCK IMAGE

SANAA: Suicide bombings at two mosques during Friday prayers in Sanaa killed 142 people and wounded 351 in the deadliest terror attack in years in Yemen.

Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attacks, in which four bombers wearing explosive belts targeted worshippers at the crowded mosques.

Charred bodies and pools of blood were seen at the scene of the blasts, which targeted supporters of the Houthi militia that has seized control of the capital Sanaa.

Worshippers rushed the wounded to hospitals in pick-up trucks while others evacuated mutilated bodies.

Countries around the world condemned the mosque bombings.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on all sides "to immediately cease all hostile actions and exercise maximum restraint," according to a statement by UN.

Yemen has descended into chaos since the 2012 ouster of longtime strongman Ali Abdullah Saleh.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 21st, 2015.

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