Homs, Jan.13 ( SANA) Cheif of Internal Security in Homs, General Murhaf al-Naasan, revealed details of the security operation that led to the arrest of those responsible for the terrorist bombing that targeted Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib Mosque in Wadi al-Dahab neighborhood on December 26 of the last year.
“The Internal Security forces, in cooperation with the General Intelligence apparatus, carried out a precise operation that led to the arrest of Ahmad Attaallah al-Diyab and Anas al-Zarrad, both linked to the terrorist organization of ISIS and directly responsible for the attack,” Al-Naasan said in a statement to the media on Tuesday at the Internal Security headquarters in Homs.
Al-Naasan added that Anas Abdul Sattar al-Zarrad, born in Damascus, joined ISIS in 2014 in al-Hajar al-Aswad area before moving to southern Syria and later to Homs after its liberation. Meanwhile, Ahmad Attaallah al-Diyab, born in Homs, joined the group in 2018 in southern Syria and later moved to Homs with the beginning of liberation.
He went on to say that al-Zarrad started to monitor the mosque for weeks, attending Friday prayers to gather information. On the day of the bombing, he placed an explosive device inside a school bag in one corner of the mosque, then went to nearby bathrooms and detonated it remotely, while al-Diyab waited outside to provide support.
“Investigations also revealed the cell’s involvement in a previous terrorist attack that targeted a gas pipeline in the Furqlus area east of Homs several months ago, and confirmed that they were planning further attacks in different regions,” al-Naasan affirmed.
He reaffirmed the commitment of security authorities to hunt all those involved in undermining national security and the safety of citizens, affirming that justice will punish anyone who attempts to harm the country.
The bombing of Imam Ali Mosque claimed the lives of 8 people and the injury of 18 others.
MZN
