ISIS Claims Responsibility for Rare Attack at Mosque in Oman

A man stands atop a hill in al-Wadi al-Kabir west of Oman's capital Muscat on February 14, 2018 while waiting for the peloton during the second stage of the 2018 cycling Tour of Oman. (AFP)
A man stands atop a hill in al-Wadi al-Kabir west of Oman's capital Muscat on February 14, 2018 while waiting for the peloton during the second stage of the 2018 cycling Tour of Oman. (AFP)
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ISIS Claims Responsibility for Rare Attack at Mosque in Oman

A man stands atop a hill in al-Wadi al-Kabir west of Oman's capital Muscat on February 14, 2018 while waiting for the peloton during the second stage of the 2018 cycling Tour of Oman. (AFP)
A man stands atop a hill in al-Wadi al-Kabir west of Oman's capital Muscat on February 14, 2018 while waiting for the peloton during the second stage of the 2018 cycling Tour of Oman. (AFP)

The ISIS group claimed responsibility for an attack at a mosque in Oman, the group said on Tuesday, which left at least nine people dead, including three attackers.

Three suicide attackers from ISIS attacked last night a gathering of worshippers while they were practicing their annual rituals at a temple in the Wadi al-Kabir district in the (Omani) capital, according to group's statement, which cited three security sources.

The ISIS fighters fired on worshippers and exchanged gunfire with Omani security forces until morning, the statement added.

ISIS late on Tuesday published what it said was a video of the attack on its Telegram site.

Oman police and military and security forces announced on Tuesday that they had completed procedures in the incident.



Rubio Thanks Saudi Crown Prince for Hosting US Talks with Russia

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio looks on, as he visits Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, February 17, 2025. (Reuters)
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio looks on, as he visits Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, February 17, 2025. (Reuters)
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Rubio Thanks Saudi Crown Prince for Hosting US Talks with Russia

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio looks on, as he visits Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, February 17, 2025. (Reuters)
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio looks on, as he visits Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, February 17, 2025. (Reuters)

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Tuesday that Washington had taken an important step forward towards establishing “enduring peace between Russia and Ukraine”.

In a post on the X platform, he added: “We are using our global strength to unite countries. The United States wants peace. We want the killing to stop.”

He also expressed his gratitude to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for hosting landmark talks earlier on Tuesday between the US and Russia aimed at restoring relations and ending the Ukraine war.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who also attended the talks, described them as “useful”.

Russian and American delegations listened to and heard each other and agreed to create conditions to fully restore cooperation between the two countries, he said.