Islamic State suicide bombers kill 10 at mosque prayers

At least 10 people have been killed and 36 wounded in twin suicide bombings by Islamic State at a mosque in Yemen.

The bombs attacked Muslim worshippers celebrating the Eid al-Adha holiday in the capital Sanaa.

Witnesses said the first blast shook the mosque soon after worshippers gathered for Eid prayers.

A second suicide bomber detonated his explosives belt when Houthi guards tried to stop him rushing deep inside the mosque.

A Houthi militant stands inside the al-Balili mosque after the twin bombings. Credit: Reuters

Arab media has put the death toll at at least 25.

"We gathered to rescue the wounded," said local Nayef. "The situation is very painful and blood is everywhere."

Islamic State later claimed responsibility for the attack at al-Balili mosque, which is run by Yemen's Houthi group.

The attack resembled previous bombings by IS that have killed hundreds of Zaydis, a branch of Shi'ite Islam that the militants consider to be heretical.

Houthi fighters sealed off the area after what was the second attack targeting a mosque run by the Zaydi group in the capital this month.