Eight killed in Syria mosque explosion

At least eight people were killed and 18 others injured in an explosion targeting a mosque in the Syrian city of Homs on Friday, the Syrian Health Ministry said.

The state news agency SANA reported that “explosive devices” had been planted in the Imam Ali Ibn Abi Taleb mosque to target worshippers attending Friday prayers.

Security units established a cordon around the mosque while the authorities began investigating and collecting evidence into the incident, the interior ministry said.

"Internal security forces have arrived at the scene and set up cordons around the mosque. An operation to search for those responsible for the explosion is now in progress," the interior ministry said.

The ministry further noted that civil defense teams are carrying out restoration work inside the building, which sustained material damage.

Preliminary findings indicate that an explosive device had been planted inside the Imam Ali Mosque in the Wadi Al-Zahab district and was detonated during Friday prayers.

No radical group has so far declared responsibility for the attack.