At least eight people were killed and 18 others injured following a terrorist explosion at the Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib Mosque in the Wadi al-Dahab district of Homs, Syria, on Friday. The incident was confirmed by Syria’s Health Ministry and reported by local media, sending shockwaves through the region.

According to the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), the injured were rushed to Karam al-Louz Hospital in Homs, where emergency medical teams treated victims for varying degrees of injuries. Authorities described the condition of several injured individuals as serious, though no further medical details were disclosed.

The Syrian Interior Ministry stated that internal security forces were immediately deployed to the site. The mosque area was cordoned off as investigators began examining the scene to determine the exact circumstances behind the blast.

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Preliminary investigations indicated that the explosion was caused by explosive devices planted inside the mosque, according to a security source cited by SANA. Officials have launched a full-scale probe to identify those responsible and assess potential security lapses.

The incident comes amid heightened tensions in Syria following recent violent episodes. On December 22, multiple people were killed and injured in an attack in Aleppo, which occurred during a visit by a high-level Turkish delegation to Damascus for security and diplomatic talks.

Syrian authorities have linked the Aleppo incident to clashes involving forces affiliated with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), while the SDF issued a separate account claiming its personnel were attacked. The latest explosion in Homs underscores ongoing security challenges facing the country amid fragile regional dynamics and continued conflict-related instability.

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