Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Kuwait authorities identify Shia mosque bomber as Saudi citizen

Interior ministry says Fahad Suleiman Abdulmohsen al-Gabbaa flew into Gulf nation just hours before carrying out attack in which 27 people were killed

Alexander Sehmer
Sunday 28 June 2015 11:54 EDT
Comments
Kuwaiti authorities say the bomber flew into the Gulf state hours before carrying out the attack
Kuwaiti authorities say the bomber flew into the Gulf state hours before carrying out the attack (Getty)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Kuwaiti authorities have identified the suicide bomber who killed 27 people at a Shia mosque, as a Saudi citizen.

A statement from the interior ministry, carried by the Kuwait News Agency, named the man as Fahad Suleiman Abdulmohsen al-Gabbaa, saying he flew into the Gulf nation just hours before carrying out the attack.

At least seven suspects have been detained in connection with that attack, according to local media.

The authorities said that among those arrested was a 25-year-old from Kuwait's bedoon community, who they say drove the car that brought the bomber to the mosque.

The man was identified as Abdulrahman Sabah Eidan Saud.

The bedoon community is made up of descendants of desert nomads and others considered stateless by the government. They have long claimed the government deprives them of citizenship and rights.

A Kuwaiti man who housed the driver was also taken into custody.

The interior ministry described him as a follower of "fundamentalist and deviant ideology", a term the Gulf states often employ to refer to al-Qaeda.

A local Isis affiliate, the self-styled Najd Province, claimed responsibility for the bombing, which took place at one of Kuwait's oldest Shia mosques during midday prayers,

Officials say 227 people were wounded in the attack.

The Kuwait bombing occurred amid a series of bloody global attacks, including an attack in Tunisia in which 38 people were killed.

(Additional reporting by agencies)

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in