Twin Blasts Rock Damascus Suburb, At Least 34 Dead
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Archival photo. LOUAI BESHARA/AFP/Getty Images(DAMASCUS, Syria) — Two suicide bombers detonated vehicles packed with explosives in a Damascus suburb Wednesday, killing at least 34 people in a neighborhood of religious communities largely supporting the Syrian government.
State media accused “terrorists” of the blasts in Jaramana, which is predominantly populated by Christians and Druses, followers of an Islamic offshoot. The vehicles exploded near commercial buildings during morning rush hour, in an apparent attempt to maximize casualties.
There was no immediate responsibility taken for the bombings.
The attacks illustrate a growing concern that Islamic militants are driving the Syrian opposition, attacking religious minorities and civilians that side with President Bashar Assad.
Syria’s minority groups have thus far been hesitant to side with the Syrian rebels, after living for decades under secular rule. The country is predominantly Sunni Muslim; Bashar Assad is Alawite.
The dual bombings came just a day after the opposition claimed to have brought down Syrian aircraft.
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