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Damascus hit by deadly explosions Damascus hit by deadly explosions
(40 minutes later)
Two explosions have hit the Syrian capital of Damascus, leaving scores killed and wounded, Syrian TV has reported. Two explosions have rocked the Syrian capital of Damascus, leaving scores killed and wounded, Syrian TV has reported.
The state-run station blamed terrorists for the blasts, which were in the Qazaz area, where a Syrian intelligence agency has its headquarters. The explosions occurred at about 7.50am local time on Thursday during the rush hour, according to the state news agency Sana.The state-run station blamed terrorists for the blasts, which were in the Qazaz area, where a Syrian intelligence agency has its headquarters. The explosions occurred at about 7.50am local time on Thursday during the rush hour, according to the state news agency Sana.
The Syrian health ministry said 29 people were killed and 103 injured. Forty people were killed and 170 wounded in the attacks, according to the Syrian foreign affairs spokesman Jihad Makdissi.
Videos posted online showed a plume of thick black smoke rising above Qazaz, in the south-west of the city. Syrian TV showed graphic pictures of burnt corpses and body parts on the ground, as well as gutted vehicles. People worked to free bodies from the wreckage of vehicles and to extinguish blazes.Videos posted online showed a plume of thick black smoke rising above Qazaz, in the south-west of the city. Syrian TV showed graphic pictures of burnt corpses and body parts on the ground, as well as gutted vehicles. People worked to free bodies from the wreckage of vehicles and to extinguish blazes.
A source in Damascus told the Guardian that both of the explosions were caused by car bombs. They occurred close to the university's faculty of mechanical engineering where students were arriving for lessons, he said. "They were very large explosions," he said. "They could be heard from far away. People couldn't believe that this happened ... There are ambulances rushing to the area." A source in Damascus told the Guardian that both of the explosions were caused by car bombs. They occurred close to the university's faculty of mechanical engineering where students were arriving for lessons, he said.
"They were very large explosions," he said. "They could be heard from far away. People couldn't believe that this happened ... There are ambulances rushing to the area."
The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that the target was the intelligence buildings. The outer wall of the nearby Palestine Branch Military Intelligence complex collapsed, although the structure inside appeared intact.The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that the target was the intelligence buildings. The outer wall of the nearby Palestine Branch Military Intelligence complex collapsed, although the structure inside appeared intact.
The Palestine Branch is one of the most feared among the more than 20 secret police organisations in the country.The Palestine Branch is one of the most feared among the more than 20 secret police organisations in the country.
UN observers visited the site of the explosions, which left a large crater in the road. Walls of buildings on either side of wide avenue had collapsed. State TV showed a man walking around the wreckage pointing at the charred remains of cars. "Is this freedom?" he said. "This is the work of the Saudis," he added, referring to the Gulf state that has advocated arming the rebels. UN observers visited the site of the explosions, which left a large crater in the road. Walls of buildings on either side of the wide avenue had collapsed. State TV showed a man walking around the wreckage pointing at the charred remains of cars. "Is this freedom?" he said.
"This is the work of the Saudis," he added, referring to the Gulf state that has advocated arming the rebels.
One resident, who said he got within 100m of one of the blasts before being turned back by security forces, told Reuters he saw broken glass on the street and women crying. Nearby schools sent children home for the day. Another resident said police had closed off the Kfar Souseh district, which houses a military intelligence complex, and were firing automatic rifles in the air.One resident, who said he got within 100m of one of the blasts before being turned back by security forces, told Reuters he saw broken glass on the street and women crying. Nearby schools sent children home for the day. Another resident said police had closed off the Kfar Souseh district, which houses a military intelligence complex, and were firing automatic rifles in the air.
Central Damascus is under the control of forces loyal to Bashar al-Assad but has been struck by several bomb attacks, often targeting security installations or convoys. However, residents described Thursday's blast as significantly bigger than previous attacks. The last major explosion in the capital occurred on 27 April when a suicide bomber detonated an explosives belt near members of the security forces, killing at least nine people and wounding 26 others.Central Damascus is under the control of forces loyal to Bashar al-Assad but has been struck by several bomb attacks, often targeting security installations or convoys. However, residents described Thursday's blast as significantly bigger than previous attacks. The last major explosion in the capital occurred on 27 April when a suicide bomber detonated an explosives belt near members of the security forces, killing at least nine people and wounding 26 others.
State media frequently use the term "terrorists" to describe opposition fighters, when reporting attacks. Some elements within the opposition have accused government forces of fabricating attacks or even carrying them out themselves to discredit the uprising against Assad.State media frequently use the term "terrorists" to describe opposition fighters, when reporting attacks. Some elements within the opposition have accused government forces of fabricating attacks or even carrying them out themselves to discredit the uprising against Assad.
The UN said weeks ago that more than 9,000 people had been killed since the uprising began in March 2011. Hundreds more have died since, according to opposition activists. A ceasefire brokered by the UN-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan began about a month ago but numerous violations have been reported on both sides. The Local Co-ordination Committees activist group claims more than 1,000 people have been killed by the security forces since the ceasefire was supposed to take effect.The UN said weeks ago that more than 9,000 people had been killed since the uprising began in March 2011. Hundreds more have died since, according to opposition activists. A ceasefire brokered by the UN-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan began about a month ago but numerous violations have been reported on both sides. The Local Co-ordination Committees activist group claims more than 1,000 people have been killed by the security forces since the ceasefire was supposed to take effect.
On Wednesday, the UN secretary-general, Ban Ki-moon warned of an "alarming upsurge" in bombings.On Wednesday, the UN secretary-general, Ban Ki-moon warned of an "alarming upsurge" in bombings.