In the Syrian city of Homs, hundreds of mourners braved the rain and cold on Saturday to pay their respects at the site of a tragic bombing that occurred the previous day. This somber gathering took place outside the Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib Mosque, located in the Wadi al-Dhahab neighborhood, an area predominantly inhabited by members of the Alawite minority. The mourners later formed convoys to escort the victims to their final resting places.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the explosive devices responsible for the attack were planted within the mosque itself, although officials have yet to announce any suspects publicly. The bombing claimed the lives of eight individuals and left 18 others injured.

A group known as Saraya Ansar al-Sunna has stepped forward to claim responsibility for this heinous act. In a statement on their Telegram channel, the group declared that the attack was intended to target the Alawite sect, whom they regard as apostates. This group had previously taken credit for a devastating suicide attack in June at a Greek Orthodox church in Dweil’a, near Damascus, where a gunman opened fire before detonating an explosive vest, resulting in the loss of 25 lives during a Sunday service.

Among the local residents, a neighbor of the mosque, who wished to remain anonymous and be referred to only as Abu Ahmad due to security concerns, recounted the terrifying moment of the explosion. “It was a very, very strong explosion,” he recalled, describing the jarring incident that disrupted the neighborhood.

The same group had previously claimed a suicide attack in June in which a gunman opened fire and then detonated an explosive vest inside a Greek Orthodox church in Dweil’a, on the outskirts of Damascus, killing 25 people as worshippers prayed on a Sunday.

A neighbor of the mosque, who asked to be identified only by the honorific Abu Ahmad (“father of Ahmad”) out of security concerns, said he was at home when he heard the sound of a “very very strong explosion.”

He and other neighbors went to the mosque and saw terrified people running out of it, he said. They entered and began trying to help the wounded, amid blood and scattered body parts on the floor.

While the neighborhood is primarily Alawite, he said the mosque had always been open to members of all sects to pray.

“It’s the house of God,” he said. “The mosque’s door is open to everyone. No one ever asked questions. Whoever wants to enter can enter.”

Mourners were unable to enter the mosque to pray Saturday because the crime scene remained cordoned off, so they prayed outside.

Some then marched through the streets chanting “Ya Ali,” in reference to the Prophet Muhammad’s cousin and son-in-law whom Shiite Muslims consider to be his rightful successor.