Blast at Syrian Mosque During Friday Prayers Leaves At Least Eight Dead

An explosion has resulted in the tragic loss of at least eight lives and injured 18 others during Friday prayers inside the Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib Mosque in Homs, Syria, according to the health ministry.

Details of the Incident

– Location: The blast occurred in the Wadi al-Dhahab neighborhood, predominantly home to the Alawite ethnoreligious group.
– Damage: A state-run news agency, Sana, has released pictures showing the mosque’s interior with blackened walls, shattered windows, and blood-stained carpets.
– Cause: It is believed that an explosive device was detonated inside the mosque, as per security sources.
– Responsibility: The Sunni extremist group Saraya Ansar al-Sunnah has claimed responsibility for the attack, reporting that it collaborated with an unidentified group to carry out the assault using explosives placed within the mosque.

Official Reactions

– Syria’s Foreign Ministry condemned the incident as a terrorist crime, stating it is a cowardly act aimed at destabilizing the nation and undermining moral values.
– Concerns are growing over the origins and affiliations of Saraya Ansar al-Sunnah, which gained notoriety in June for a deadly church bombing in Damascus. Its unclear connections have led some to speculate that it could serve as a front for the Islamic State group (IS) due to similarities in rhetoric and targeted attacks.

Context of Sectarian Violence

The attack follows a period of relative quiet in which Saraya Ansar al-Sunnah had not claimed attacks, focusing instead on targeted killings of minority groups and what they deem remnants of the Assad regime. The violence unfolds in a volatile environment following the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad, who is of the Alawite sect, a significant minority that has faced increasing persecution and reprisals since the regime’s fall.

– Recent Reports: A March report by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) indicated that security forces killed dozens of Alawites in Latakia, further exacerbating fears and tensions among minority communities in the region.

Aftermath

In the wake of the explosion, armed men were observed guarding the mosque, with remnants of blood still present on the steps. This incident demonstrates the ongoing strife and insecurity facing Syria’s minorities as they navigate the country’s uncertain future.

The attack highlights the persistent threat of extremist violence in Syria and its implications for sectarian tensions, reminding the world of the fragile security landscape in the region.