Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - The White House condemned as “unconscionable” twin suicide bombings on Yemeni mosques that killed at least 142 worshippers Friday.

Describing the attacks in Sanaa as unprovoked, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said “we deplore the brutality of the terrorists who perpetrated today’s unprovoked attack on Yemeni citizens, who were peacefully engaged in Friday prayers.”

In an online statement, the previously unknown Sanaa branch of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) claimed responsibility for the bombings and said they were “just the tip of the iceberg.”

The White House had earlier said there was no “clear operational” link between Yemeni extremists and ISIS.

“We cannot at this point confirm the veracity of the claim,” it said, referring to ISIS.

“We have seen these kinds of claims in the past from other extremist groups,” Earnest said, adding that claims of allegiance to ISIS are often made for propaganda purposes.

Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula issued a statement saying it had nothing to do with the bombings.

“This unconscionable attack on Muslim worshipers during Friday prayers only further highlights the depth of the terrorists’ depravity and the threat they pose to the people of Yemen, the region and the world,” White House National Security Council spokeswoman Bernadette Meehan said.

She urged all Yemenis to be unified in their fight against terror.

“We urge all Yemeni parties to halt unilateral and offensive military actions,” Meehan said in condemning those assaults on Yemen’s “legitimate government” and calling for renewed political dialogue.

*Agencies