17 killed in Syria car bomb explosion

A car bomb on a street in the Syrian capital of Damascus killed 17 people and injured more than a dozen others Saturday, Syrian television reported The TV said a car packed with 200 kilograms of explosives blew up on Mahlak Street, located in a southern neighborhood of the capital near the junction to the city's international airport. Anti-terror units were investigating, it said. 17 killed in Syria car bomb explosion Such bombings are rare in Syria, but over the last year, the country has witnessed two major assassinations. Several explosions blamed on Sunni Muslim militants opposed to Syria's secular government have also taken place over the last few years. But Saturday's bombing was by far the largest and tested weaknesses of the government's traditionally tight security grip. It occurred at the intersection leading to Saydah Zeinab, a holy shrine for Shi'ite Muslims that is frequently visited by Iranian and Iraqi pilgrims. Al-Jazeera TV reported that the car bomb exploded near a Syrian intelligence post in the Sidi Kadad area. Police sealed off the area, blocking motorists and pedestrians from approaching from where the blast occurred.

17 killed in Syria car bomb explosion

Such bombings are rare in Syria, but over the last year, the country has witnessed two major assassinations. Several explosions blamed on Sunni Muslim militants opposed to Syria's secular government have also taken place over the last few years.

But Saturday's bombing was by far the largest and tested weaknesses of the government's traditionally tight security grip.

It occurred at the intersection leading to Saydah Zeinab, a holy shrine for Shi'ite Muslims that is frequently visited by Iranian and Iraqi pilgrims. Al-Jazeera TV reported that the car bomb exploded near a Syrian intelligence post in the Sidi Kadad area.

Police sealed off the area, blocking motorists and pedestrians from approaching from where the blast occurred.