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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| The Ongoing Instability in Syria: Terrorism, Sectarian Tensions, and Governance Breakdown |
| 2026-01-05 |
| by Dr. Zoe Levornik [IsraelAlma] About a year after the consolidation of the new regime in Damascus, Syria continues to grapple with profound internal instability, reflecting an ongoing failure of the authorities to enforce order, ensure civilian security, and rebuild trust between the state and the diverse communities that comprise it. A series of security incidents at the end of December—including a severe terrorist attack in Homs, a suicide bombing in Aleppo, a renewed outbreak of tensions with the Alawite population in the coastal cities, and an escalation of clashes between the regime and Kurdish forces in Aleppo and the country’s northeast—are not isolated events, but rather a symptom of a fragile political and security structure. On Friday, December 26, 2025, a terrorist attack took place at the “Ali ibn Abi Talib” Mosque in the Wadi al-Dhahab neighborhood of the city of Homs. Several explosive devices planted inside the mosque detonated during Friday prayers, killing at least eight worshippers and wounding more than 18 others. Syrian authorities described the incident as a deliberate terrorist attack against civilians and a place of worship, aimed at undermining the fabric of shared life in the city and creating an atmosphere of fear and instability. A radical Sunni jihadist organization calling itself “Saraya Ahl al-Sunna” (also known as “Saraya Ansar al-Sunna”) claimed responsibility for the attack. The group focuses on targeting religious sites and sensitive civilian locations with the aim of fueling sectarian tensions. In its statement, the organization asserted that the attack was carried out using several explosive devices with the assistance of an additional, unidentified party, and made clear its intention to continue its activities. The group was also involved in the attack on the Mar Elias Church in the Dweilaa neighborhood of Damascus in June 2025, in which dozens of civilians were killed. More at the link |
| Posted by:badanov |