Syria: Dozens killed in Damascus explosion

Updated January 6, 2012 6:13 am – Syrian officials blamed a “terrorist suicide bomber” for an explosion Friday which appeared to target a bus full of police in central Damascus, causing deaths. State TV reported the blast in the central Damascus neighborhood of Midan killed at least 25 people and wounded more than 50 others, with “most” of the casualties being civilians. Graphic video on Syrian television showed mangled human remains amid debris.

Friday’s explosion comes two weeks after two blasts in Damascus targeting security buildings killed 44 people. Syrian President Bashar Assad has waged a brutal crackdown on a growing opposition movement, which has sparked violence between armed rebels known as the Free Syrian Army, and state security forces. While the regime squarely blames the opposition movement for the violence, opposition leaders have voiced skepticism, suggesting the government itself may have staged the deadly attacks two weeks ago in an effort to paint the anti-government groups as terrorists.

…(CBS)

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