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On July 16, 2024, the Islamic State's (ISIS) official A'maq News Agency claimed responsibility for a previous-day attack on a Shi'ite mosque in Muscat, Oman. "More than 35 Shi'ites and members of Omani security forces" were wounded and killed in the attack, according to the statement. This is the first time ever that the group claims an attack in Oman.
A'maq further reported that the attack was carried out by three "inghimasi" [infiltrative commando-style] operatives affiliated with the organization. The attack occurred on the ninth day of Muharram, on the eve of Ashura, a major event in the Shi'ite calendar. After shooting at "a gathering of Shi'ites who were performing their yearly rituals in their temple," in the Al-Wadi Al-Kabir neighborhood of the Omani capital, the operatives exchanged fire with Omani security forces who arrived on the scene, in a firefight that ended the next morning.
According to A'maq's "security sources," more than thirty Shi'ite worshipers were killed or injured in the assault, as well as five Omani service members, including one officer. A'maq's statement included a photo of the attackers.
A'maq also released a 40-second video clip purporting to show scenes from the attack. The video begins with a man referring to "the targeting of the Rafida [a pejorative term for Shi'ites] in Oman." The fighters in the video can then be seen standing some distance from their target, on a balcony or roof, firing and crying "Allah Akbar."
An additional statement by ISIS repeated the details of the attack and added that "the apostate Rafida should know that continuous war will meet them everywhere."
Media reports on the attack put the number of victims at 28 wounded and six killed.
Pro-ISIS Telegram Channel Celebrates Attack, Calls On Muslims to "Rise Up" and Attack
On July 16 and 17, the pro-ISIS Telegram channel "Sawt Al-Zarqawi" released a series of Telegram posts celebrating the attack and inciting Muslims to commit further attacks. In one post, the channel shared an audio clip calling on Muslims of the Arabian Peninsula to "wake up and rise." The post's text repeated the message, saying that "tipping the scales is in your hands." An additional post, which included A'maq's statement and a photo of the attackers, incited Muslims to "rise up and imitate them."
The attack follows continuous incitement against Shi'ites in Sunni jihadi circles, following the death sentence of the wife of slain ISIS leader Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi, Asma Al-Kubaisi, and in the days leading to Ashura.
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