Multiple bomb explosions hit Alawite district in DamascusNovember 7, 2012 - 10:20 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Multiple bomb explosions on Wednesday, Nov 7, hit a hilltop district in the Syrian capital Damascus populated by members of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's Alawite sect, witnesses said, according to Reuters. The attack occurred a day after deadly tit-for-tat attacks in segregated neighborhoods of the capital, deepening the sectarian divide between the Alawite sect, an offshoot of Shi'ite Islam that has ruled Syria since the 1960s, and Sunnis leading the 19-month revolt against the Assad family rule. Smoke was seen rising from the Alawite enclave, known as Mezze 86, which is situated near the presidential palace, from what appeared to be heavy-caliber mortar bombs, several residents of Damascus said by phone. "Ambulances are heading to the area and the shabbiha (pro-Assad militimen) are firing automatic rifles madly in the air," said a housewife who did not want to be further identified. Syrian state television said the attack was carried out by mortar bombs, causing casualties, but gave no further details. A car bomb exploded on Tuesday near a mosque in al-Qadam, a southern working-class Sunni neighborhood of the capital, killing and wounding dozens, opposition activists said. Al-Qadam, from where rebels operate, has been the target of heavy Syrian army artillery barrages in the last several weeks. Syrian warplanes have also hit the area. Earlier, in Hai al-Wuroud, an Alawite neighborhood on a hill on the northwest edge of the city, a bombing killed at least 10 people, according to state media. Bomb attacks along sectarian lines have escalated lately in the 19-month-old uprising against Assad. Last month several bombs exploded during the Muslim Eid holiday near mosques in Sunni districts and the Damascus suburbs, killing and injuring dozens of people, activists said. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Ucom Celebrates Telecommunication Day May 17 commemorates the founding of the International Telecommunication Union on May 17, 1865. Armenian, Azerbaijani heads of parliament meet in Switzerland President of the Armenian parliament Alen Simonyan met with the Speaker of the Azerbaijani Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova. Border residents overnight on highway to protest Armenia’s Residents of Kirants continue to express outrage over the government’s decision to cede land to Azerbaijan. Get Started: An educational platform for young startuppers The Get Started program which operates in two phases is an important platform for young startuppers. |