Explosion at Mosque in Syria Kills Eight During Friday Prayers

At least eight people have been killed following an explosion inside a mosque in the Syrian city of Homs, according to Syria’s state news agency SANA. The blast occurred during Friday prayers and targeted a place of worship used by members of the Alawite minority, officials said.

Syria’s Interior Ministry confirmed the death toll and reported that 21 people were injured in the incident. Local authorities said an explosive device detonated inside the Ali bin Abi Talib mosque, prompting security forces to cordon off the surrounding area.

No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the explosion, while it remains unclear whether it was the result of a suicide bombing or a planted explosive device, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Homs is a city with a predominantly Sunni population but also includes neighborhoods inhabited by Alawites, a minority group that has increasingly been targeted in attacks following recent political upheaval in the country. Syria’s former president, Bashar al-Assad, who was overthrown in December 2024, comes from the Alawite community.

Since his removal by a coalition of Sunni Islamist rebel groups led by Syria’s transitional leadership, violence against Alawites has intensified. Monitoring groups report that more than 1,700 people—mostly Alawites—were killed during clashes earlier this year in western Syria.

In a statement, Syria’s Foreign Ministry described the mosque attack as a “desperate attempt” to undermine national security and spread instability. The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms and restoring stability across the country.