Explosion Hits Mosque During Friday Prayers
At least eight worshippers were killed in a deadly explosion at a mosque in the Syrian city of Homs on Friday. State media confirmed that the blast occurred during Friday prayers. The mosque is located in Wadi al-Dahab, a predominantly Alawite neighbourhood in central Homs. The attack has raised fresh concerns about security and sectarian violence in post-war Syria.
The mosque bombing marks the second deadly attack on a place of worship since extremist authorities took power in Syria a year ago. In June, a suicide bombing at a church in Damascus killed at least 25 people. The latest incident appears to target the Alawite community, which has faced repeated attacks since the fall of former president Bashar al-Assad, himself an Alawite.
Militant Group Claims Responsibility
In a statement posted on Telegram, the extremist group Saraya Ansar al-Sunna claimed responsibility for the attack. The group said its fighters detonated multiple explosive devices inside the Imam Ali Bin Abi Talib Mosque. Saraya Ansar al-Sunna emerged after Assad was ousted last year. It had also claimed responsibility for the June church bombing, although Syrian authorities blamed the Islamic State group for that earlier attack.
According to Syria’s state news agency SANA, the explosion killed at least eight people and wounded 18 others. The figures were cited from a health ministry official and described as preliminary. Emergency services rushed the injured to nearby hospitals. Security forces quickly cordoned off the area surrounding the mosque to prevent further threats.
Witness Accounts from Inside the Mosque
An AFP photographer at the scene observed extensive damage inside the mosque. A corner of the building was blackened, and debris was scattered across the prayer area. Red tape marked the blast site as security personnel guarded the premises.
One survivor, Usama Ibrahim, 47, said he was attending prayers when the explosion occurred. He described hearing a loud blast before collapsing to the ground. He sustained shrapnel injuries to his head and back and was treated at a local hospital.
Another injured worshipper, bookseller Ghadi Maarouf, 38, said the explosion happened moments before the imam was about to deliver the sermon. He said the blast was powerful and caused widespread panic. Maarouf suffered injuries to his leg and was also hospitalised.
Syria’s interior ministry confirmed that the mosque was targeted in what it described as a “terrorist explosion.” Officials said an investigation had begun to collect evidence and identify those responsible. A security source cited by SANA said initial findings suggested explosive devices had been planted inside the mosque.
Syria’s foreign ministry strongly condemned the attack, calling it a “cowardly criminal act.” The ministry said the bombing was part of repeated attempts to undermine national security and spread chaos. It reaffirmed the government’s commitment to combating terrorism and holding perpetrators accountable.
Several regional countries, including Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Turkey, and Jordan, also condemned the attack and expressed solidarity with the Syrian people.
Ongoing Threats to Minority Communities
Since Assad’s fall, rights monitors and residents have reported kidnappings and killings targeting Alawite civilians. In March, Syria’s coastal regions witnessed mass killings of Alawites after clashes between armed Assad loyalists and security forces. A national inquiry reported at least 1,426 deaths, while the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights estimated more than 1,700.
Late last month, protests erupted along the coast following renewed attacks on Alawite communities in Homs and other areas. Authorities had previously carried out mass arrests in Alawite-majority regions, which were former Assad strongholds.
On Friday, Syrian state television reported that 70 detainees were released in the coastal city of Latakia. Officials said investigations showed they were not involved in war crimes, adding that further releases were planned.
Despite assurances from Damascus that all communities will be protected, minority groups remain wary. Sectarian clashes in July in the Druze-majority province of Sweida left more than 2,000 people dead, including hundreds of civilians.
In a speech marking one year since Assad’s fall, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa called on all Syrians to unite and help build a strong nation. While Syria has made progress in restoring diplomatic ties, the government continues to face serious challenges in maintaining internal security and national unity.
