"Mourners gathered in Homs on Saturday to hold funeral processions for victims of the deadly attack on the Imam Ali bin Abi Talib Mosque a day earlier, which killed eight people and left dozens injured in the predominantly Alawite Wadi al-Dhahab neighbourhood. Footage shows mourners carrying shrouded bodies on their shoulders while chanting 'Allahu Akbar' and 'The martyr is the beloved of God'. Women were seen weeping and throwing rice at ambulances in tribute to the victims inside. Security forces from Syria’s transitional government were also deployed at the site. Salman Al Subh, a resident of the Al Zahraa district, voiced concern that similar attacks could happen again. “Whoever did this will definitely do it again if they don't intensify the security measures. We seek safety and security. Homs is a vast region embracing a large variety of sectarian groups, which necessitates stringent security measures,” he said. Another resident, Aziza Aloush, urged authorities to safeguard minority communities. “We call on the government to release the detainees. Furthermore, the state should protect us,” she said. Syria’s state news agency SANA reported that five of the victims were buried at Al Fardous cemetery in Homs, while the remaining bodies were transferred to their hometowns and villages. In a statement, a group calling itself Saraya Ansar Al Sunna claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was carried out using multiple explosive devices planted inside the mosque. The group also threatened further attacks against what it described as 'infidels' and 'apostates'. The bombing drew condemnation from several countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan and Turkey. In December 2024, Syria’s HTS-led transitional government seized power in Damascus, with Ahmad al-Sharaa later appointed interim president after pledging to form an 'inclusive government'. However, media reports have documented violations against civilians from Druze, Alawite, Christian and other minority communities. These developments have fuelled rising tensions, including demands for secession in Suwayda province, while the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces have yet to integrate into the new Syrian army as of the time of publication."