Saudi suicide bombers identified

A Bahraini Shiite protestor shouts slogans amid tear gas smoke during clashes with riot police on May 23, 2015. Photo / Getty Images

Saudi Arabia has identified the suicide bomber who killed 21 worshipers at a mosque for the minority Shiite community and confirmed his link to the Islamic State group.

"His name was Salih bin Abdulrahman Salih al-Ghishaami, a Saudi national," the interior ministry said in a statement on Saturday.

A Bahraini Shiite protestor sits flashing the sign of victory during clashes with riot policemen. Photo / Getty Images

"He was wanted by security services for belonging to a terrorist cell receiving directions from Daesh abroad," it said, using the Arabic acronym for IS.

On Friday IS said it was behind the murders, the first time the group has officially claimed an attack in Saudi Arabia.

Smoke rises after Saudi-led coalition airstrikes hit al-Nahdan military camp, belongs to the Houthi Ansarullah movement in Sanaa, Yemen on May 23, 2015. Photo / Getty Images

But it identified the bomber as Abu Amer al-Najdi.

"The cell was discovered last month, and so far 26 of its members, all Saudi nationals, have been arrested," the interior ministry said.

"The criminal investigation lab examined the remains of the terrorist's body and the crime scene, and it was determined that the type of explosives used was RDX."

- AAP