A powerful explosion occurred at the Imam Ali Mosque, located in Homs, Syria, during Friday prayers.
According to preliminary information, at least eight people died and several others sustained injuries of varying degrees as a result of the incident.
Modern.az reports that rescue teams and security forces were immediately dispatched to the scene. The injured were transferred to nearby hospitals, the area around the mosque was cordoned off, and an investigation has been launched. A statement released by the Syrian Ministry of Interior indicates that internal security forces have secured the area and are searching for individuals involved in the explosion.
The exact cause of the explosion is not yet known. It is being investigated whether the incident was a suicide attack or resulted from the detonation of a pre-planted explosive device.
The explosion also caused significant material damage to the mosque building. Civil defense personnel have already begun clearing the debris.
Currently, no radical group has claimed responsibility for the attack. The city of Homs is located approximately 165 kilometers north of the capital Damascus and is considered Syria's third-largest city. Before the internal conflict began in 2011, approximately 1.8 million people lived here; the city was one of the densely populated centers for religious minorities, including Christians and Alawites.
