At least eight individuals lost their lives and 18 others sustained injuries in a bombing that targeted a mosque in Homs, Syria, during Friday prayers, as confirmed by local authorities. Pictures released by Syria’s state-operated Arab News Agency (SANA) depicted scenes of blood-soaked carpets, damaged walls, shattered windows, and fire aftermath within the Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib Mosque, situated in the Alawite-majority Wadi al-Dhahab neighborhood of Homs.
According to a security source cited by SANA, initial inquiries suggested that explosive devices had been concealed inside the mosque. The search for the perpetrators of this attack was underway, and a security perimeter was established around the mosque, as announced by Syria’s Interior Ministry.
Recent weeks have witnessed escalating tensions across various regions of Syria due to enduring sectarian, ethnic, and political divisions, contributing to ongoing destabilization despite a decrease in large-scale conflict. Since the departure of President Bashar al-Assad, an Alawite, from power last year, Syria has faced multiple instances of sectarian violence, with crackdowns targeting members of his religious sect.
In a reaction to the attack, local authorities strongly denounced the incident as part of ongoing efforts to disrupt security and stability in Syria. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated Syria’s unwavering commitment to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
The Syrian information minister, in a social media post on platform X, highlighted the convergence of remnants of the former regime, ISIS militants, and collaborators in obstructing the progress of the new state by jeopardizing stability and civil peace.
Neighboring nations, including Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Lebanon, joined in condemning the assault. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun expressed Lebanon’s solidarity with Syria in its anti-terrorism endeavors.
Furthermore, clashes erupted between Syrian government forces and Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces in mixed neighborhoods of Aleppo, leading to the temporary closure of schools and public institutions. Following de-escalation efforts, both sides announced a late-evening ceasefire, allowing civilians to seek shelter indoors.
