Oman - July 2024

On 15 July, multiple gunmen attacked worshipers near a Shiite Mosque in the Wadi Kabir neighbourhood of Muscat. The attack occurred on the eve of the Shiite Muslim holiday of Ashura. Six people were killed and approximately 28 others were injured, according to the Royal Oman Police. The Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility for the attack. International media outlets that analysed video footage of the incident reported that the assailants used derogatory terms to refer to Shiites. On 18 July, the Royal Oman Police issued a statement announcing that the three perpetrators were killed. While the authorities did not explicitly link the individuals to IS, they noted that the attackers were "influenced by misguided ideas." Shia Muslims are a minority in Oman, a country known for relatively low rates of registered crime and sectarian violence.

Sources: Royal Oman Police (1), Royal Oman Police (2), The New York Times, The National, Reuters