Tragedy in Homs, Syria: 8 Dead as Bomb Rips Through Mosque During Friday Prayers
By Lions Roar News World Desk
HOMS, SYRIA (December 26, 2025) – A devastating explosion struck the Imam Ali bin Abi Talib Mosque in the central Syrian city of Homs today, killing at least eight people and wounding 21 others. The blast occurred during Friday noon prayers, one of the busiest times of the week for worshippers.
The attack targeted the Wadi al-Dahab neighborhood, a predominantly Alawite area, signaling a potential rise in sectarian tensions in the post-Assad era.
🏚️ A Scene of Devastation
Witnesses described a scene of absolute chaos as the prayer service was interrupted by a massive blast. Footage from the scene showed smoke billowing from the building, with shattered windows and a small crater left in the main prayer hall.
- Casualties: Syrian health authorities confirmed 8 fatalities, though they warned the death toll could rise as several of the 21 injured remain in critical condition.
- The Aftermath: Blood-stained carpets, scorched walls, and fragments of holy books were strewn across the floor as emergency teams and Red Crescent volunteers rushed to evacuate the wounded.
- Security Cordon: The Syrian Interior Ministry has cordoned off the Wadi al-Dahab district, with investigators searching for clues among the debris.
🕵️ Investigation and Responsibility
Preliminary investigations by the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) suggest that improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were planted in a corner of the mosque prior to the service.
Shortly after the attack, an Islamist militant group calling itself Saraya Ansar al-Sunna claimed responsibility via a statement on Telegram. The group, which has been linked to previous sectarian attacks in Syria, warned that its operations would “continue and escalate.”
🕊️ Global Condemnation
The Syrian Foreign Ministry condemned the bombing as a “cowardly criminal act” designed to undermine the country’s fragile stability following the collapse of the previous regime.
“This is a desperate attempt to sow chaos among the Syrian people,” the Ministry stated. “Such crimes will not deter the state from protecting its citizens and holding those involved accountable.”
The UN and neighboring countries, including Lebanon and Saudi Arabia, have also issued statements deploring the attack and calling for calm during Syria’s political transition.
