The aftermath of the explosion inside Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib Mosque in the Wadi al-Dahab neighborhood of Homs. (December 26, 2025)
Deadly blast hits mosque in Syria’s Homs: state media
Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio.
- An explosion killed at least eight people and wounded 18 others at the Imam Ali Bin Abi Talib Mosque in Homs during Friday prayers, with initial reports pointing to devices planted inside the building.
- Syria's Foreign Ministry condemned the bombing as a "cowardly" attempt to destabilize the country and vowed to hold those responsible accountable as security forces launched an investigation.
An explosion hit worshippers at a mosque in an area of Syria's Homs on Friday, state media said, killing at least eight.
State news agency SANA reported "an explosion inside the Imam Ali Bin Abi Talib Mosque in the Wadi al-Dahab neighbourhood" in Homs city.
Quoting a health ministry official, SANA gave a preliminary toll of at least eight dead and 18 wounded.
Syria's interior ministry said in a statement that "a terrorist explosion" targeted the mosque "during Friday prayers".
The ministry imposed a security cordon around the mosque, saying that authorities "have begun investigating and collecting evidence to pursue the perpetrators of this criminal act".
SANA quoted a security source as saying "initial investigations indicate that the explosion... was caused by explosive devices planted inside the mosque".
SANA published photos from inside the mosque, one of which showed a hole in a wall.
Black smoke covered part of the mosque, with carpets and books scattered nearby.
Syria Response
Syria's foreign ministry called the bombing a "desperate attempt" to destabilise the country, vowing to hold the perpetrators accountable.
In a statement, the ministry condemned "this cowardly criminal act", saying it came "in the context of repeated desperate attempts to undermine security and stability and spread chaos among the Syrian people".
The ministry reiterated its "firm stance in combating terrorism in all its forms", stressing that "such crimes will not deter the Syrian state from continuing its efforts to consolidate security, protect citizens, and hold those involved accountable".
