Twin bombings rock DamascusMarch 17, 2012 - 11:06 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Twin bombings in the Syrian capital early Saturday, March 17, killed police and civilians, state television said, without giving any immediate breakdown, as fears mounted Al-Qaeda is trying to exploit the year-old uprising against President Bashar al-Assad's regime, AFP reported. "Two terrorist bombings struck Damascus this morning," the television said, adding that preliminary reports suggested the bombers had blown up vehicles packed with explosives. It said police and civilians were among the dead but gave no numbers. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that two powerful explosions targeted security service buildings in the capital. A spate of bombings have hit Syria's big cities in recent months amid growing concerns that Al-Qaeda has taken advantage of a year-old uprising against Assad's regime to shift its focus of operations from neighbouring Iraq. On March 3, a suicide bomber blew up a vehicle in Daraa, south of Damascus, cradle of the protest movement that erupted in March last year, killing two people and wounding 20, including security force personnel, the official SANA news agency said. On January 6, a car bomb exploded in Damascus killing 26 people and wounding dozens more, most of them civilians. State media said it was a suicide attack and blamed "terrorists". The blast came after twin bombs hit security services bases in the capital on December 23, with state media pointing the finger at Al-Qaeda. Twin car bombs in the northern city of Aleppo on February 10 killed 28 people and wounded 235. Top stories 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". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Court in Azerbaijan extends former Karabakh leader’s arrest by 5 months The Binagadi District Court in Azerbaijan has granted the prosecutor’s petition to extend the arrest of Arkady Ghukasyan. Ucom General Director joins High-Tech Development Panel Discussion The discussion was titled "The Role of International Corporations and Investors as Catalysts for Development of High-Tech Ecosystem." Dozens detained as antigovernment protest continue in Armenia At least 63 people demanding Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s resignation were detained on May 14 as they blocked streets in Yerevan. Armenian army holding strategic command, staff drills Live firing will be carried out using automatic control systems and modern equipment. |