Sri Lanka Easter bombings were revenge for New Zealand mosque killings, official says

A deadly series of bombings in Sri Lanka that killed hundreds of worshippers on Easter Sunday was meant as retaliation for last month’s mass shooting at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, an official said Tuesday.

Reuters reported that Sri Lanka’s deputy defense minister, Ruwan Wijewardene, told reporters that the attack was committed by ISIS-aligned militants including members of Jammiyathul Millathu Ibrahim (JMI), a Salafist militia group.

{mosads}“It was done by National Thawheed Jama’ut along with JMI,” Wijewardene said. “The initial investigation has revealed that this was in retaliation for the New Zealand mosque attack.”

ISIS’s Aamaq news agency took credit for the attack on Tuesday, according to The Associated Press, as the number of deaths from the bombings, which targeted tourist locales and Christian churches holding Easter services, rose to 321.

“The perpetrators of the attack that targeted nationals of the countries of the coalitions and Christians in Sri Lanka before yesterday are fighters from the Islamic State,” the ISIS-aligned news agency wrote.

At least four Americans died in the attack, according to the State Department, which condemned the bombings as part of a “horrific wave” of Islamic extremism.

“While details continue to emerge, approximately 290 people have been killed, including at least four U.S. citizens,” a State Department official told The Hill on Monday.

“Several U.S. citizens were seriously injured in the attacks. We extend our deepest condolences to the friends and families of the deceased. We will continue to work to provide services and support to all U.S. citizens affected and their families,” the official added.