• At least eight people were killed and 18 wounded in a bombing at a mosque in Homs, Syria.
• The attack targeted the Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib Mosque in a predominantly Alawite neighborhood.
• Authorities are investigating and have confirmed the use of explosives planted inside the mosque.

An explosion occurred during Friday prayers at the Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib Mosque in Homs, Syria, resulting in at least eight fatalities and 18 injuries, according to the Health Ministry. State media reports indicate that the bombing took place in the Wadi al-Dahab neighborhood, an area predominantly inhabited by the Alawite community, which has recently faced increased sectarian violence since the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad. Images from the scene depict destroyed interior elements of the mosque, including bloodstains on carpets and broken windows, highlighting the devastating impact of the attack, according to aljazeera, scmp, and aa.

Reports indicate the bombing may have been carried out using explosive devices planted within the mosque. Security forces have since established a cordon around the area to assist with the investigation and gather evidence. The Interior Ministry of Syria condemned the act as "terrorist" and emphasized the government's commitment to fighting terrorism. Local officials have noted that this incident represents a continuation of the aggressive acts aimed at destabilizing the region, according to indiatimes and cbsnews.

The attack follows a troubling period for the Alawite community, as they have experienced targeted violence amid rising sectarian tensions in the country since Assad’s ousting last year. Human rights organizations have reported that the past few months have seen increased violence against minority groups, including Alawites, adding to the fears of reprisals within this community. In this context, the Syrian Foreign Ministry issued a statement condemning the act, labeling it a "cowardly criminal act," and reaffirmed the government's determination to consolidate security across the nation, according to bbc and scmp.