16 Killed, Dozens Wounded After Twin Blasts Near Central Syrian City Of Homs; ISIL Reportedly Claimed Responsibility For The Attack
At least 16 were killed and a dozen were left wounded after a twin blasts took place near the central Syrian city of Homs on Saturday. Reuters forecasted Saturday that the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) reportedly claimed responsibility for the attack.
Reports have revealed that the first explosion took place near a hospital in Alawite neighborhood of Al-Zahra located in the eastern part of Homs city, which the militants branded as a "suicide car bomb attack in the center of Zahra district."
The second blast allegedly seemed to have come from a detonating gas canister. Further reports have revealed that the second explosion hit people who had looked after those who were victims of the first blast, as reported by state-run television SANA.
IS reportedly revealed the identity of the bomber as Abu Ahmed al-Homsi. The militant group added that the number of casualty for the attack was over 25 with 70 people wounded.
On the other hand, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the casualties include an army colonel, a policeman and woman, as noted by VOA News Saturday. In addition, reports stated that majority of the victims were women and children.
"The explosion was terrifying. Body parts were on the ground... It was one of the biggest explosions to hit Homs," a 28-year-old woman describes the incident, as noted by Al Jazeera Saturday.
She goes on, "The blast left a huge crater, and people were running in every direction in fear of more explosions."
Meanwhile, the twin blasts reportedly came three days after a truce deal in Waer was implemented which compelled some rebels and civilians to leave Waer. In addition, trucks bringing aid have entered the district on Saturday as part of the truce deal.
Syrian government branded the attack as "cowardly terrorist explosion."
"These terrorist explosions will not discourage the Syrian people from national reconciliation and fighting terrorism," says Prime Minister Wael al-Halqi.