A Shia mosque in the Eastern Province has been bombed, killing two and wounding seven according to early reports. No one has taken responsibility, but suspicions naturally falls on ISIL. The Eastern Province is home to most of the Kingdom’s Shia population and ISIL would dearly love to foment sectarian fighting. This will break down government and give ISIL the opportunity to operate more freely, as in Libya, Iraq, Yemen, Syria, and eastern Egypt.
ISIL claims responsibility for Yemen attack
A bombing outside the residence of the president of Yemen did not kill Hadi, but it shows a deteriorating security situation in the civil war-torn country, ISIL has ben attacking both the Shia north and the Sunni south. It wold do well to concentrate on the Sunni south and try to completely break down government there. Then it, and al Qaeda, will have greater ranges of activity.
Iran purchases French commercial aircraft
Closely following the lifting of sanctions, Iran has embarked on a concerted effort to build trade, especially with the EU. Concern will grow that countries with robust trade with Iran will be reluctant to revert to sanctions if Tehran were to restart its nuclear program