Armed group claims responsibility for deadly mosque bombing in Homs
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – A group calling itself “Saraya Ansar al-Sunna” claimed responsibility on Friday for the bombing that struck the Imam Ali bin Abi Talib Mosque in the Wadi al-Dhahab neighborhood of Homs, central Syria, according to statements circulated on accounts affiliated with the group.
The explosion, caused by an improvised explosive device planted inside the mosque, killed eight people and injured at least 21 others, according to an initial toll released earlier by local security and medical sources. Several of the wounded remain in critical condition, raising the possibility that the number of fatalities could increase.
In a statement published on platforms linked to the group, Saraya Ansar al-Sunna said: “With the help of God Almighty, the fighters of Saraya Ansar al-Sunna, in cooperation with fighters from another group, detonated a number of explosive devices inside the Ali bin Abi Talib temple belonging to the Nusayris.”
The group claimed that the explosion “led to the killing and wounding of 40 Nusayris,” a figure that does not match the casualty numbers confirmed by official and medical sources on the ground.
In the same statement, the group added: “We deny what has been circulated in the media that the bombing targeted a mosque belonging to Ahl al-Sunna wal-Jama’a, and we remind that our attacks will continue to increase and will target all infidels and apostates.”