Saudi Arabia strongly condemns mosque blast in Syria

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia condemned an explosion at a mosque of the ​Alawite minority sect in the Syrian city of Homs on Friday that killed eight people.

The city’s press office said an explosive device had detonated inside the Imam Ali bin Abi Talib mosque and that security forces had cordoned off the area.

Syrian news agency SANA ‌cited health ‌ministry official Najib Al-Naasan as saying ‌18 others ​were ‌wounded and that the figures were not final, indicating they could rise.

Extremist Syrian group Saraya Ansar Al-Sunnah said on its Telegram channels that it carried out the attack. The group previously claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing at a Damascus church in June that killed 20 people.

In a statement, the Foreign Ministry said: “The Kingdom affirms its categorical rejection of terrorism, extremism, targeting of mosques and places of worship, and terrorizing innocent people. It expresses its solidarity with Syria in this great tragedy, and its support for the Syrian government’s efforts to establish security and stability.”

The statement extended the Kingdom’s condolences to the families of the victims and to the government and people of Syria. It also wished the injured a speedy recovery.