Syria crisis: 16 dead, dozens wounded in explosions in Damascus, Suweida

2015-05-14 3

Originally published on November 7, 2013

At least 16 people were killed in two separate bomb attacks in Syria on Wednesday (November 6). One explosion went off at the railway offices in Hijaz Square in Damascus, killing eight people, including women and children. The other explosion was a car bomb that killed eight security personnel, including a major, at a military intelligence headquarters in the southern city of Suweida.

Conflicting reports say the blast in Damascus may have been caused by a bomb or a mortar hitting the intersection in front of the building. At least 50 people were also wounded.

In Suweida, a major was among security officers killed in the blast at the regional Air Force Intelligence headquarters. A second officer may also have been killed.

Reuters reports, "local opposition activists said a suicide bomber had sped through a checkpoint outside the headquarters and blown up his car. Rebels then tried to storm the building and clashes erupted, they said, killing several opposition fighters.

"The state news agency SANA said the Suweida blast wounded 41 people but made no mention of the target, saying only that a "terrorist" car bomb had hit a square in the city.

"The government-controlled Suweida region is home to many Druze, who have mostly stayed neutral in the conflict, although some have joined paramilitary forces supporting Assad.

"Rebels have seized a ring of suburbs outside the capital but the army has blockaded these areas to try to keep central Damascus secure. Insurgents have resorted to improvised bombs to strike security and political targets in government-held areas.
Damascus residents reported seeing a mortar bomb land near the army's General Staff headquarters in Umayyad Square, a big road intersection, on Wednesday. They had no word on casualties."

--------------------------------------------------------

TomoNews is your daily source for top animated news. We've combined animation and video footage with a snarky personali