2024 Muscat mosque shooting
| 2024 Muscat mosque shootings | |
|---|---|
| Location | Wadi Kabir, Muscat, Oman |
| Date | 15 July, 2024 |
| Target | Shia worshippers at the Imam Ali mosque |
Attack type | Mass shooting |
| Deaths | 9 (Including 3 perpetrators) |
| Injured | 30-50 |
| Perpetrator |  Islamic State[1][2] |
On 15 July 2024, a mass shooting occurred at the Shia Imam Ali mosque[3] in Muscat, Oman, leaving six people dead (not including perpetrators) and between 30 to 50 others injured. All three perpetrators of the attack were killed by the security forces.[4][5] The Islamic State claimed responsibility, making it the group's first attack in the country.[1][6]
Background
Oman is predominantly Muslim, with most following the Sunni and Ibadi sects, and Shi'ism accounting for about 5% of the country's population.[4]
The Islamic State has had a history of anti-Shia sentiment, including considerable violence against Shiites during the Syrian civil war and third Iraq war.[7] However, they had never claimed responsibility for an attack in Oman prior to the shooting.[4]
Attack
The shooting occurred as Shiite worshippers were marking the eve of Ashura at the Imam Ali mosque frequently attended by South Asian expatriates[8] in the Wadi Kabir area of Muscat.[9] Gunmen reportedly opened fire from a building near the mosque[4] before entering the facility itself in the evening and opened fire,[10] with some worshippers taken hostage before being rescued by security forces.[4]
Nine people died in the attack, including all three attackers, who were killed by the security forces, and a police officer.[5] Pakistan said four of its nationals were killed in the attack, while between 30 to 50 others were injured.[4] The Indian embassy in Oman said that one Indian national was killed and another injured in the attack.[11] A state of emergency was declared in Wadi Kabir.[9] The Islamic State subsequently claimed responsibility for the attack.[1]
Perpetrators
The attackers were Omani citizens and brothers.[12]
Reactions
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed sadness over the attack and offered his government's help in the investigation.[13] The Pakistani embassy in Oman called on all its nationals in the country to cooperate with Omani authorities.[14] The US embassy in Oman issued a security alert and cancelled all visa appointments scheduled on 16 July.[15] The Iranian Foreign Ministry stated it stood "in solidarity with Oman against such attempts to sow discord."[16]
Many news outlets have noted the rarity of the attack in Oman, a relatively stable Gulf nation.[1][17]
References
- ^ a b c d "Islamic State claims responsibility for rare attack at Shi'ite Muslim mosque in Oman". Reuters. 16 July 2024. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
- ^ "IS Takes Credit for Attack in Oman". SITE. 16 July 2024.
- ^ Law, Heather; Al Lawati, Abbas (2024-07-16). "ISIS claims responsibility for rare attack on mosque in Oman". CNN. Retrieved 2024-07-18.
- ^ a b c d e f "Four Pakistanis killed in shooting near mosque in Oman, Pakistan says". BBC. July 16, 2024.
- ^ a b "Toll from Oman mosque attack rises to six, three gunmen killed: Police". Al Arabiya. July 15, 2024.
- ^ "What's behind Islamic State's first attack in Oman?". Al-Monitor. 2024-07-17. Retrieved 2024-07-18.
- ^ Baele, Stephane J. (October 2019). Giles, Howard (ed.). "Conspiratorial Narratives in Violent Political Actors' Language" (PDF). Journal of Language and Social Psychology. 38 (5–6). SAGE Publications: 706–734. doi:10.1177/0261927X19868494. hdl:10871/37355. ISSN 1552-6526. S2CID 195448888. Archived from the original on 3 January 2022. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
- ^ "Six killed in rare Oman attack claimed by Islamic State group". France 24. July 16, 2024.
- ^ a b "Four Pakistanis shot dead in Oman mosque attack". Al Jazeera. July 16, 2024.
- ^ "A rare shooting by multiple attackers in a Shiite mosque in Oman kills 5 and wounds dozens more". Associated Press. July 16, 2024.
- ^ "One Indian killed, another injured in Muscat mosque shooting, says Indian Embassy in Oman". mint. Retrieved 2024-07-16.
- ^ Reuters. "Oman mosque shooting: Attackers were all Omani citizens, say police". Khaleej Times. Retrieved 2024-07-18.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ "In attack that shocks quiet Oman, gunmen kill 6 and wound dozens more at a Shiite mosque". Associated Press. July 17, 2024.
- ^ "At least six killed in Oman mosque attack". Al Jazeera. July 16, 2024.
- ^ "4 killed in shooting near Oman mosque: police". France 24. July 16, 2024.
- ^ "In attack that shocks quiet Oman, gunmen kill 6 and wound dozens more at a Shiite mosque". AP News. July 16, 2024.
- ^ "A rare shooting by multiple attackers in a Shiite mosque in Oman kills 5 and wounds dozens more". Associated Press. July 16, 2024.