An explosion at an Alawite mosque in Homs, Syria, Friday, December 26, 2025. Credit: Omar HAJ KADOUR / AFP / Profimedia
At least five people were killed in an explosion on Friday at a mosque of the minority Alawite sect in the Syrian city of Homs, the country's SANA news agency reported, according to Reuters.
Najib al-Naasan, an official from the Syrian Ministry of Health, said that another 21 people were injured in the explosion, stating that it was a preliminary toll.
The Homs press office reported that an explosive device was detonated inside the Imam Ali bin Abi Talib mosque, and security forces cordoned off the area.
Issam Naameh, a local official, told Reuters the explosion occurred during Friday noon prayers, when mosques are generally more crowded.
SANA published images of the intervention teams examining the fragments scattered on the mosque's green carpet. At the moment, the attack has not been claimed by anyone.
Homs, Syria
3 IEDs exploded in a mosque during Friday prayers.
Civilians have been wounded, no reports about deaths yet.
Residents are being mobilized to donate blood and help transport victims to the hospitals. pic.twitter.com/GbRmj2DiVM— ScharoMaroof (@ScharoMaroof) December 26, 2025
Syria has been rocked by several episodes of sectarian violence since the fall of the regime of Bashar al-Assad, an Alawite who was ousted from power last year after a rebel offensive and replaced by a government led by members of the Sunni Muslim majority.
Also this month, two U.S. soldiers and a civilian U.S. military translator were killed by an attacker believed to be part of the Islamic State group who attacked a convoy of U.S. and Syrian forces in the city of Palmyra, where the troops were on a mission.
American soldiers killed in an ambush in Syria
