DAMASCUS: Eight folks have been killed in an explosion at a mosque of the Alawite minority sect within the Syrian metropolis of Homs on Friday (Dec 26), Syrian state information company SANA mentioned.
An ultra-conservative Sunni Syrian group often known as Saraya Ansar al-Sunnah mentioned on its Telegram channels that it carried out the assault. The group beforehand claimed duty for a suicide bombing at a Damascus church in June that killed 20 folks.
SANA cited Syrian Well being Ministry official Najib al-Naasan as saying 18 others have been wounded and that the figures weren’t ultimate, indicating they may rise.
Town’s press workplace mentioned an explosive gadget had detonated contained in the Imam Ali bin Abi Talib mosque and that safety forces had cordoned off the realm.
Native official Issam Naameh informed Reuters the blast occurred throughout Friday midday prayers.
The Supreme Alawite Islamic Council, a physique that claims it represents Alawites in Syria and overseas, condemned what it known as a scientific marketing campaign of killings, pressured displacement, detentions and incitement towards Alawites for greater than a yr. It accused the Damascus authorities of duty, and mentioned continued assaults threat driving the nation towards collapse.
