At least five people were killed and 21 others injured after an explosion ripped through a mosque belonging to the Alawite minority sect in the Syrian city of Homs on Friday, Syrian state news agency SANA reported. The blast occurred during Friday noon prayers, one of the busiest times of the week for mosques, heightening the impact of the attack.

According to SANA, Syrian Health Ministry official Najib al-Naasan said the casualty figures were preliminary and could rise as rescue operations continue and the injured receive medical care. Several of the wounded are reported to be in serious condition.

Blast Inside Imam Ali Bin Abi Talib Mosque

Homs city’s press office confirmed that an explosive device detonated inside the Imam Ali bin Abi Talib mosque, located in a predominantly Alawite area of the city. Security forces quickly sealed off the site following the blast, restricting access as bomb disposal units and investigators began examining the scene.

Local official IssamNaameh told Reuters that the explosion took place precisely during the Friday prayer congregation, when worshippers had gathered in large numbers. The timing suggests the attack was intended to cause maximum casualties. State media footage aired by SANA showed scenes of devastation inside the mosque, with debris scattered across the green carpet as rescuers and security personnel searched the area for survivors and evidence.

Following the mosque explosion, security has been tightened across Homs, with additional checkpoints set up and patrols increased around religious sites. Officials said measures were being taken to prevent further attacks and to reassure the local population. As of Friday evening, no group had claimed responsibility for the attack. Authorities have not released details about the type of explosive used or how it was planted inside the mosque. An official investigation is underway to determine those responsible and whether the blast was part of a wider coordinated plot.

Rising Sectarian Tensions In Syria

The attack comes amid renewed sectarian tensions in Syria following last year’s ousting of longtime president Bashar al-Assad, who belongs to the Alawite sect. The political shift brought a government dominated by members of the Sunni Muslim majority, a transition that has been followed by sporadic outbreaks of violence across the country.

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Homs, once a major flashpoint during Syria’s civil war, has witnessed relative calm in recent years, making Friday’s explosion particularly alarming for residents. Earlier this month, Syria also saw another deadly incident when two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter were killed in central parts of the country. Authorities described the attacker in that case as a suspected member of the Islamic State, a violent Sunni extremist group.

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As Syria continues to grapple with political change and security challenges, Friday’s deadly blast underscores the fragile situation on the ground and the persistent threat of sectarian violence.