Dozens killed in Damascus blast

At least 31 people have been killed in a car bomb attack in Damascus near the headquarters of the ruling Baath party and the …

Syrian television broadcast footage of at least four bodies strewn along a main street and firefighters dousing the charred remains of dozens of burning vehicles after a blast in central Damascus today. Photograph: Sana/Reuters
Syrian television broadcast footage of at least four bodies strewn along a main street and firefighters dousing the charred remains of dozens of burning vehicles after a blast in central Damascus today. Photograph: Sana/Reuters

At least 31 people have been killed in a car bomb attack in Damascus near the headquarters of the ruling Baath party and the Russian Embassy, opposition activists say.

The Britain-based activist group Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said most of the dead were civilians, but members of the Syrian security services were also killed in today’s attack.

The explosion targeted a security checkpoint central Mazraa neighbourhood, witnesses said.

Syrian state television also reported the blast, calling it a “terrorist” attack by a suicide bomber on a heavily populated area.

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The television station also said mortar rounds have exploded near an army command in the city but there were no casualties.

PA