ISIS Claims Responsibility For Oman Mosque Attack That Saw 9 Dead, Dozens Wounded

Published: 7/17/2024, 12:34:17 PM EDT

The terrorist group ISIS has claimed responsibility for an attack on a Shiite-Muslim mosque in the Gulf Arab state of Oman that saw nine dead and dozens injured.

The terrorist group issued a statement late on July 16, in which it said that “suicide attackers” fired on worshippers at the mosque and exchanged gunfire with Omani security forces until morning. The group additionally posted what it claimed to be a video of the attack on Telegram.

According to reports by Oman's Royal Police Force, the incident occurred in the capital, Muscat’s Al-Wadi Al-Kabir district. All three terrorists, as well as a policeman, were reportedly among the nine killed, the police said.

Four Omani first responders were also among the wounded, according to police. Authorities did not provide any additional information as to the motive or the identity of those involved in the attack or the identity of the victims.

On July 16, the day after the attack, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that four Pakistanis were also among the dead.

The Ministry also claimed that a further 30 Pakistanis were injured in the attack and are currently being treated in hospital, in a post on X.

“We are heartened that the government of Oman has neutralized the attackers,” the ministry said.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also expressed great sadness at the incident in a post on X on July 16.

“My heart goes out to the families of the victims. I have instructed the Pakistan Embassy in Muscat to extend all possible assistance to the injured and visit the hospitals personally,” he wrote.

Meanwhile, India’s embassy in Muscat confirmed that one Indian citizen died in the attack while three others were injured in a post on X.

The U.S. Embassy in Muscat issued a security alert, warning citizens to “stay vigilant” while canceling any scheduled visa appointments for July 16 as a precautionary measure.

Oman has largely been left out of the string of violence perpetrated by the group. ISIS has sought to expand its influence across the Arabian peninsula after it gained a foothold in both Iraq and Syria roughly a decade ago.

Islamic extremism also has a growing presence in nearby Yemen, with associated terrorist groups, including the “Islamic State (IS) and al-Qaida, operating in the country.

The ideological basis upon which the group acts is based on sectarianism. While ISIS adheres to Sunni-Muslim, it is defiant of Shiite-Muslims, which it considers heretics.

The attack occurred during Ashura, which is the 10th day of the Islamic month of Muharram, a day of particular importance for adherents of the Shiite-Muslim sect.

Oman is a Gulf state under Sunni-Muslim rule, but follows the more liberal Ibadi sect of Islam. It's small Shiite minority, however, boasts some influence while the country nonetheless promotes harmony between Muslim sects.

Oman has a population of around five million, more than half of whom are expatriates with many adherents of other faiths, including Hindus and Christians.

The attack has raised fears that the terrorist group may be trying to gain a foothold in new territory.

Oman police said an investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Reuters and the Associated Press contributed to this article.