At least fourteen people are reported to be dead and three injured as a Syrian military bus was targeted with multiple explosive devices in the country’s capital city of Damascus on the morning of October 20th.
According to the Syrian state news agency, SANA, two bombs attached to the military bus exploded at approximately 6:45 a.m. local time as the bus crossed the President Hafez al-Assad Bridge in central Damascus.
SANA also reports that a third device was later found to have fallen off of the bus, and was dismantled successfully.
In a post on its Telegram account, Syrian state TV shared photos of the charred cabin of the military bus, which included images of rescue workers removing body parts from the scene.
Approximately one hour after the bombing, the Syrian army rained shells down on Ariha in the Idlib province, one of the last areas that is still controlled by rebels fighting against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. According to rescue workers, the shelling killed 12 people, including four children and a teacher on their way to school, and injured at least 30.
“Today’s violence is yet another reminder that the war in Syria has not come to an end. Civilians, among them many children, keep bearing the brunt of a brutal decade-long conflict,” Ted Chaiban, UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, said in a statement.
“Attacks on civilians including children are a violation of international humanitarian law. Children should be able to reach their schools safely,” Chaiban added.
