Blast during Friday prayers in Syria, 8 killed and more than 20 injured

Blast During Friday Prayers In Syria:  A big explosion has been reported at a mosque in Syria. The explosion occurred on Friday at a mosque belonging to the Alawite minority community in Homs, killing at least eight people and injuring many others. Also Read: ISI Seizes Opportunity in Bangladesh Violence, Big Conspiracy Against India Uncovered The explosion took place inside the Imam Ali bin Abi Talib Mosque in Homs, after which security forces surrounded the entire area. Local official Issam Nameh told Reuters that the explosion occurred during Friday afternoon prayers, which is usually the busiest time in mosques. The Syrian state news agency SANA released pictures of the blast, showing blood-stained carpets, holes in the walls, and broken windows inside the mosque.

Explosion occurred at the Imam Ali bin Abi Talib Mosque

The agency, citing security forces, said that initial investigations revealed that an explosive device had been planted inside the mosque. The area has been cordoned off. Najib al-Nassan, an official from the Syrian Ministry of Health, said that 21 people were injured in the incident. These figures are preliminary. The death toll may also rise.

Footage released by Syrian state media SANA shows rescue workers and security forces amidst debris scattered throughout the mosque. However till now no terrorist organization has claimed responsibility for the attack.

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Mosque belonging to the Alawite minority community

Following the blast, the Syrian Foreign Ministry issued a statement condemning the terrorist attack, calling it a cowardly attack on humanitarian and moral values, aimed at creating instability in Syria. The ministry said that the country condemns terrorism in all its forms and reiterates its commitment to national security.

Summary

It is worth noting that since the attempted overthrow of long-serving President Bashar al-Assad last year, incidents of sectarian violence have increased in Syria. Al-Assad himself belongs to the Alawite sect. However, after he fled the country, a Sunni Muslim-majority government was formed in Syria. Earlier this month, two American soldiers were also killed in an attack in central Syria.