Many insurgent attacks have occurred in Yemen since its crisis began in January 2011, and even more so since itscivil war began in September 2014.[1][2] The Houthi movement, who began itsinsurgency in 2004, seized the country's capital city Sanaa in September 2014 and has occupied it ever since.[2] In March 2015, 142 people were killed by Islamic State suicide bombers at two Shia mosques in Sanaa.[1]
During the morning of 24 September 2015, a suicide bomber detonated a bomb during prayers for Eid-al-Adha, in Balili mosque, a Shiite mosque in Sanaa.[1][2] As worshippers who had survived the explosion tried to escape, a suicide bomber detonated an explosive belt at the mosque's entrance.[1][2] At least 25 people were killed and at least 36 others wounded.[1][2] Later the same day, Islamic State said they carried out the bombing.[2]