Explosion rocks Sanaa mosque as fighting rages across Yemen

Explosion rocks Sanaa mosque as fighting rages across Yemen
A suspected bomb detonated in a mosque in the Yemeni capital killed at least three people and injured dozens others, residents confirmed Tuesday.
2 min read
26 July, 2016
Militant groups regularly target mosques in the capital [Getty]

At least three people were killed when an explosion rocked a mosque in the south of the Yemeni capital on Tuesday evening.

The suspected bomb detonated in the Sarwah mosque located in the Bani Bahloul area, south of Sanaa, residents confirmed.

No official statement has yet confirmed the explosion.

Yemen has been gripped by a devastating conflict that escalated in March 2015 when Saudi-led air raids began against the Houthi rebels after the insurgents seized northern and central parts of the country including the capital, Sanaa.

The violence has allowed extremist groups such as al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group [IS] to extend their influence and launch scores of attacks on security forces.

On Monday, several explosions rocked the Yemeni capital when Saudi-led coalition air raids struck Houthi positions.

Three explosions were triggered following the airstrike on a military compound where ammunition and weaponry is stored, residents told The New Arab.

Meanwhile in Yemen’s southern Aden city, at least one person was killed and another wounded in Sunday when a bomb exploded near a security checkpoint.

Along Yemen's border with Saudi Arabia, clashes between Houthi rebels and government forces left more than 80 dead over the last week, as delegations in Kuwait edged closer towards deadline day for peace talks.

Ismail Ould Cheikh urged Houthi and government officials to make "decisions that will prove your true intentions," noting the talks would only last for a further two weeks and may be Yemen's "last chance to resolve the conflict."