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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Syria conflict: Shells hit Russian embassy compound | Syria conflict: Shells hit Russian embassy compound |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| Two shells have struck the Russian embassy compound in the Syrian capital Damascus as hundreds of pro-government supporters rallied outside in support of Russian air strikes. | Two shells have struck the Russian embassy compound in the Syrian capital Damascus as hundreds of pro-government supporters rallied outside in support of Russian air strikes. |
| No-one was killed but a BBC Arabic correspondent in Damascus says some people were injured. | No-one was killed but a BBC Arabic correspondent in Damascus says some people were injured. |
| The explosions triggered widespread panic and smoke was seen coming from the embassy compound. | The explosions triggered widespread panic and smoke was seen coming from the embassy compound. |
| Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov described it as "a terrorist attack". | Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov described it as "a terrorist attack". |
| "This is... most likely intended to intimidate supporters of the fight against terror and prevent them from prevailing in the struggle against extremists," he said. | "This is... most likely intended to intimidate supporters of the fight against terror and prevent them from prevailing in the struggle against extremists," he said. |
| "Together with the Syrian authorities, we are now trying to establish those responsible." | "Together with the Syrian authorities, we are now trying to establish those responsible." |
| In another development on Tuesday, a report by Amnesty International accused Kurdish forces in northern Syria of carrying out a wave of forced displacements and mass house demolitions that amounted to war crimes. | In another development on Tuesday, a report by Amnesty International accused Kurdish forces in northern Syria of carrying out a wave of forced displacements and mass house demolitions that amounted to war crimes. |
| It said the Popular Protection Units (YPG) had razed entire villages after capturing them from IS. | It said the Popular Protection Units (YPG) had razed entire villages after capturing them from IS. |
| The YPG has consistently denied accusations of forced displacements. | The YPG has consistently denied accusations of forced displacements. |
| Activist group the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the shells fired at the embassy had come from an eastern area of the capital. | Activist group the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the shells fired at the embassy had come from an eastern area of the capital. |
| Moments before, demonstrators had been waving Russian flags and holding up photographs of Russian President Vladimir Putin, witnesses said. | Moments before, demonstrators had been waving Russian flags and holding up photographs of Russian President Vladimir Putin, witnesses said. |
| High-stakes gamble Risks of air forces from Russia, Syria and Nato operating in close proximity | High-stakes gamble Risks of air forces from Russia, Syria and Nato operating in close proximity |
| Why? What? How? Five things you need to know about Russia's involvement | Why? What? How? Five things you need to know about Russia's involvement |
| What can Russia's air force do? The US-led coalition has failed to destroy IS. Can Russia do any better? | What can Russia's air force do? The US-led coalition has failed to destroy IS. Can Russia do any better? |
| The close ties behind Russia's intervention | The close ties behind Russia's intervention |
| Rebel forces based in the suburbs of Damascus have previously targeted the embassy. Last month, Russia demanded "concrete action" after a missile struck the embassy compound. | Rebel forces based in the suburbs of Damascus have previously targeted the embassy. Last month, Russia demanded "concrete action" after a missile struck the embassy compound. |
| One person was killed in May when mortar rounds landed near the embassy, and three people were hurt in April when mortars exploded inside the compound. | One person was killed in May when mortar rounds landed near the embassy, and three people were hurt in April when mortars exploded inside the compound. |
| Russia's Muslims divided over strikes | Russia's Muslims divided over strikes |
| Syria's civil war explained | Syria's civil war explained |
| Russia began its campaign of air strikes in Syria late last month. | Russia began its campaign of air strikes in Syria late last month. |
| The Kremlin says it is attacking the Islamic State (IS) group and other jihadists, but the US says other rebel groups opposed to President Bashar al-Assad - an ally of Russia - have been targeted. | The Kremlin says it is attacking the Islamic State (IS) group and other jihadists, but the US says other rebel groups opposed to President Bashar al-Assad - an ally of Russia - have been targeted. |
| A US military spokesman said American and Russian jets came within kilometres of each other over Syria on Saturday, at around the same time both countries' officials held talks over how to avoid conflict. | |
| The Russian offensive has allowed pro-government forces to regain ground they had lost to rebel groups. | The Russian offensive has allowed pro-government forces to regain ground they had lost to rebel groups. |
| Threats to Russia | |
| In a 40-minute message released on Monday, Abu-Muhammad al-Adnani, an IS spokesman, called on Muslims to join a jihad against the US and Russia. It is the first time the group has made threats against Russia. | |
| On Monday, the head of the al-Nusra Front - a branch of al-Qaeda in Syria - described Russia's intervention as "a new crusade". | On Monday, the head of the al-Nusra Front - a branch of al-Qaeda in Syria - described Russia's intervention as "a new crusade". |
| Abu Mohammad al-Golani called on rebel groups to unite in the wake of the air strikes and also urged Muslims in the Russian Caucasus to attack civilians there. | Abu Mohammad al-Golani called on rebel groups to unite in the wake of the air strikes and also urged Muslims in the Russian Caucasus to attack civilians there. |
| The Russian attacks have concentrated on areas in north-western Syria where al-Nusra has a powerful presence. | The Russian attacks have concentrated on areas in north-western Syria where al-Nusra has a powerful presence. |