Islamic State claims responsibility for Shia mosque bombing in Saudi Arabia

NAJRAN, Saudi Arabia, Oct. 27 (UPI) -- The Islamic State claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing Tuesday at a Shia mosque in southern Saudi Arabia that killed one person and injured another dozen.

The BBC reports the incident occurred in the city of Najran, near the border with Yemen. It was not clear whether the bomber, who reportedly wrote a letter to his parents confirming his intentions, was the person killed in the blast.

A social media post by IS, a militant group holding territory in Iraq and Syria, said the attack targeted "rejectionist Ismailis," members of a branch of Shia Islam known as Ismailism who are found in large numbers around Najran.

The incident adds to a growing trend of IS attacks against Shia Muslims in Saudi Arabia and elsewhere in the Gulf region.