A suicide bomb attack has hit the central Damascus neighborhood of al-Midan, killing at least 25 and wounding at least 60 people, Syrian state TV reports. Casualties are reported among both civilians and law-enforcement officers.
However, most of the casualties are civilians, SANA news agency reports.
A Syrian official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the target of the attack appeared to be a bus carrying policemen.
A nearby police station was also damaged by the explosion. Police have cordoned off the area.
The blast occurred at an intersection in al-Midan, in a densely populated area with heavy traffic, near the Hassan al-Hakeem basic education school. Ambulances have already arrived at the scene, a resident told Reuters by phone.
AFP Photo / HO / SANA
Syrian TV showed footage of angry men carrying the remains of a dead person and also showed a damaged bus that had blood on its seats as well as the helmets of riot police.“This is a criminal terrorist act,” a man shouted as filmed by a state TV crew.
The bombing comes a fortnight after two blasts targeting security buildings in Damascus killed 44 people.
Violence is continuing in the Syrian capital following months of anti-regime protests and crackdowns on the opposition.
It has yet to be confirmed whether the attack will affect an Arab League meeting planned for Sunday to discuss an observer report on President Bashar al-Assad’s compliance with a plan to halt violence in the country.
The Arab League committee will determine whether to continue the Syrian mission, or refer Damascus to the United Nations Security Council, a move which could give the green light for international intervention.
An image grab taken from Syrian state TV footage
An image grab taken from Syrian state TV footage
An image grab taken from Syrian state TV footage
AFP Photo / HO / SANA