Local Editor

The Takfiri "ISIL" terror group claimed responsibility for the deadly attack which killed at least 15 people and wounded many others after a bomb attack targeted a mosque in Saudi Arabia's southwestern region of Aseer.

The Saudi Interior Ministry said on Thursday that the fatalities included 12 policemen and three workers.

Earlier reports had put the casualty figures at 17 deaths and more than 30 injuries.

According to an unnamed Interior Ministry spokesman, those killed were members of a Special Weapons and Tactics [SWAT] unit.

Furthermore, the claim, made in an online statement by a group affiliated to "ISIL" calling itself "al-Hijaz Province," said that one of its members detonated an explosive vest inside the mosque in the southern city of Abha.

The statement identified the bomber as Abu Sinan al-Najdi infiltrated the special forces headquarters.

An interior ministry spokesman said that "body parts found at the scene" indicated the use of an explosive vest.

Thursday's attack was the latest in a series of bombings in Saudi Arabia.

Back in May, at least 21 people lost their lives and 97 others sustained injuries in a bomb attack by the Takfiri "ISIL" terrorist group against Imam Ali [PBUH] Mosque in the village of al-Qadeeh in the kingdom's Eastern Province.

The May attack was claimed by another "ISIL"-affiliated group calling itself "Najd Province."

One week later, a similar bomb attack, which was also claimed by the "ISIL", targeted another mosque in Eastern Province, with a confirmed death toll of four.

The Riyadh regime has long been viewed as a major supporter of Takfiri terror groups operating in Syria and Iraq.

"ISIL" Takfirism is largely influenced by Wahhabism, the radical ideology dominating Saudi Arabia and freely preached by Saudi scholars.

Source: News Agencies, edited by website team