Picture courtesy of KOMO News

 

A devastating explosion has struck the Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib Mosque in Homs, Syria, during Friday prayers, leaving at least eight people dead and injuring 18 more, according to the health ministry. The attack has left the mosque's interior in ruins, with charred walls and blood-stained carpets, as shown in images from Syria's state news agency, Sana. Authorities suspect an explosive device was deliberately detonated inside the building.

 

In the immediate aftermath, jihadist group Saraya Ansar al-Sunnah claimed responsibility, stating they executed the attack with another unnamed group using pre-planted explosives. This attack took place in the Wadi al-Dhahab neighbourhood, home to a significant Alawite population, a minority sect linked to former Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad.

 

Syria's Foreign Ministry has condemned the attack as a "terrorist crime," calling it an assault on human values aimed at destabilising the country. Saraya Ansar al-Sunnah, known for its extremist Sunni stance, recently emerged in June after claiming responsibility for a church bombing in Damascus. However, its origins and connections remain unclear, with some experts suspecting links to the Islamic State group due to similar tactics and targets.

 

The mosque bombing follows a period of decreased activity from the group, which has previously focused on targeting minorities and remnants of the Syrian government. This comes a year after Syrian rebels overthrew Assad's regime. Since Assad's ousting and his subsequent asylum in Russia, Syria has experienced increased sectarian tensions, primarily affecting Alawite communities.

 

The attack highlights ongoing instability in the region, with past allegations of violence against Alawites, including the March killings in Latakia reported by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Authorities continue their search for those responsible for the recent attack.

 

 

Key Takeaways:

• An explosion during Friday prayers in a Homs mosque has killed eight and injured 18.
• Saraya Ansar al-Sunnah claimed responsibility, suggesting further sectarian tensions.
• The attack underscores ongoing instability and sectarian violence in post-Assad Syria.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from BBC 2025-12-27

 

 

 

15 minutes ago, webfact said:

Picture courtesy of KOMO News

 

A devastating explosion has struck the Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib Mosque in Homs, Syria, during Friday prayers, leaving at least eight people dead and injuring 18 more, according to the health ministry. The attack has left the mosque's interior in ruins, with charred walls and blood-stained carpets, as shown in images from Syria's state news agency, Sana. Authorities suspect an explosive device was deliberately detonated inside the building.

 

In the immediate aftermath, jihadist group Saraya Ansar al-Sunnah claimed responsibility, stating they executed the attack with another unnamed group using pre-planted explosives. This attack took place in the Wadi al-Dhahab neighbourhood, home to a significant Alawite population, a minority sect linked to former Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad.

 

Syria's Foreign Ministry has condemned the attack as a "terrorist crime," calling it an assault on human values aimed at destabilising the country. Saraya Ansar al-Sunnah, known for its extremist Sunni stance, recently emerged in June after claiming responsibility for a church bombing in Damascus. However, its origins and connections remain unclear, with some experts suspecting links to the Islamic State group due to similar tactics and targets.

 

The mosque bombing follows a period of decreased activity from the group, which has previously focused on targeting minorities and remnants of the Syrian government. This comes a year after Syrian rebels overthrew Assad's regime. Since Assad's ousting and his subsequent asylum in Russia, Syria has experienced increased sectarian tensions, primarily affecting Alawite communities.

 

The attack highlights ongoing instability in the region, with past allegations of violence against Alawites, including the March killings in Latakia reported by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Authorities continue their search for those responsible for the recent attack.

 

 

Key Takeaways:

• An explosion during Friday prayers in a Homs mosque has killed eight and injured 18.
• Saraya Ansar al-Sunnah claimed responsibility, suggesting further sectarian tensions.
• The attack underscores ongoing instability and sectarian violence in post-Assad Syria.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from BBC 2025-12-27

 

 

 

Religion, the root of all evil, or at least near the top of all roots.

13 hours ago, Hawaiian said:

Religion, the root of all evil, or at least near the top of all roots.

 

That may have been true a thousand years ago, but nowadays it is mainly just one religion, or I should say the extremist followers of that religion.

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