ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq -  An explosion struck a mosque in the Wadi al-Dhahab neighborhood of the Syrian city of Homs on Friday, initially killing five people and wounding 21 others, according to Syria’s state news agency (SANA).

The blast occurred inside the Imam Ali bin Abi Talib Mosque, SANA said, citing its correspondent in Homs, adding that authorities were working to determine the nature of the explosion, with a security source quoted by SANA saying that initial investigations indicate the explosion was caused by explosive devices planted inside the mosque.

Syrian health officials later revised the toll upward. Dr. Najeeb al-Naasan, director of referral, ambulance, and emergency services at the Health Ministry, said at least five people were killed and 21 others wounded in a preliminary update.

Civil defense teams arrived on site to clear the damage caused by the blast.

Footage shows the aftermath of the explosion inside the Imam Ali bin Abi Talib Mosque in Homs’ Wadi al-Dhahab neighborhood, which resulted in at least 5 deaths and 21 injuries, according to Syrian state media pic.twitter.com/RDJum6GUGE

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No group has immediately claimed responsibility, and authorities said investigations were ongoing.

The Islamic State (ISIS), which has in the past targeted Alawite and Shiite worshippers, whom they deem as religiously deviant, remains a potent threat in contemporary Syria despite the extremist group's territorial defeat in 2019.

Syria’s Interior Minister Anas Khattab said on Thursday that authorities had eliminated two senior ISIS leaders in Syria within 24 hours, calling it a new phase in the country’s ongoing campaign against the militant group.