It is believed to be the first attack on a mosque in Syria since longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad was toppled last year.
Another 18 people were injured in the blast at the Imam Ali mosque in the central city of Homs, a health ministry official said, according to Syrian state news agency SANA.
The Ministry of the Interior described the attack as a “terrorist bombing” and stated that an investigation had been launched to find the perpetrators.
The explosion occurred during the Muslim weekly Friday prayer, the ministry added. According to a security source reported by SANA, the explosion was caused by explosive devices placed in the mosque, reports Hina.
Footage released by SANA shows destruction and bloodstains in the mosque after the explosion. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the mosque is frequented by the Alawite minority community.
So far, no one has claimed responsibility. The Syrian government has recently stepped up security operations against the Islamic State terrorist organization and Bashar al-Assad loyalists.
(Vijesti.ba)
