IS blamed for Yemen old age home attack that killed 16

3/6/2016 2:54:00 AM

(MENAFN- Muscat Daily) Aden Yemen-

Yemeni authorities have blamed the Islamic State group for an attack on an elderly care home run by missionaries that killed 16 people including four nuns working as nurses.

It was condemned by Pope Francis as 'diabolical'.

Rival militant movement Al Qaeda distanced itself from the mass shooting in the main southern city of Aden saying it was not responsible.

Gunmen stormed the refuge operated by Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity on Friday killing a Yemeni guard before tying up and shooting 15 other employees officials said. Four foreign nuns working as nurses were among those killed.

The Vatican missionary news agency Fides identified the nuns as two Rwandans a Kenyan and an Indian adding that the mother superior managed to hide and survive while an Indian priest had been kidnapped.

Screams of elderly residents echoed from the home during the shooting rampage witnesses said recounting seeing the bodies of slain workers with their arms tied behind their backs scattered on the bloodstained floor as the aged residents cried out in fear.

No group has yet claimed the attack in the war-torn country where the internationally recognised government is grappling with both an Iran-backed rebellion and a growing militant presence. An unnamed Yemeni presidency source in Riyadh said that those behind such 'treacherous terrorist acts' are individuals who have 'sold themselves to the devil' in a statement on the official sabanew.net website.

The Gulf Cooperation Council 'strongly' condemned the care home attack which it said 'reveals the goals of forces which are against the return of security and stability to Yemen'.

The Vatican's Secretary of State Pietro Parolin meanwhile said 'Pope Francis was shocked and profoundly saddened to learn of the killing of the four nuns and 12 others at a home for the elderly in Aden.'

Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.