At least five people were killed in an explosion at a mosque of theAlawiteminority sect in theSyriancity ofHomson Friday, Syrian state news agency SANA said.

SANA cited Syrian Health Ministry official Najib al-Naasan as saying 21 others were wounded and that the figures were a preliminary toll, indicating they could rise.

Homs 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.

Local official Issam Naameh told Reuters the blast took place during Friday noon prayers, typically the busiest time for mosques.

Syrian state media SANA published footage of rescuers and security forces examining debris splayed across the mosque's green carpet. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack.

Watch moreSyrian city of Homs trapped in cycle of sectarian violence

Syriahas been rocked by several episodes of sectarian violence since longtime leaderBashar al-Assad, an Alawite, was ousted by a rebel offensive last year and replaced by a government led by members of theSunniMuslim majority.

Earlier this month,two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter were killedin central Syria by an attacker described by the authorities as a suspected member of theIslamic State group.

(FRANCE 24 with Reuters)

Originally published on France24