At least 19 Syrian troops were killed today in bombings in the capital city of Damascus, and an arms depot in central Syria. Three others were wounded, and no group has yet claimed responsibility.
The larger of the attacks was in Damascus, where explosives were planted on an army bus carrying troops. Two explosive devices went off, while a third was defused before it went off. Fourteen troops were killed, and three wounded.
Elsewhere, on the road between Homs and Hama, a blast went off inside an army ammunition depot. Details are still emerging and at least five people were killed.
There has been no claim of responsibility for either, nor is it clear if the two bombers were related or just coincidentally happened the same day. Attacks, particularly inside Damascus. are relatively unusual, though there are several Islamist rebels who might carry out such bombings.
Bombing vehicles in a city would be a particularly disturbing trend, as it will often lead to civilian bystanders being in the line of fire. Though this was a big problem early in the Syrian War, Damascus has been comparatively safe recently.
Unconfirmed reports emerged of Syrian forces retaliating by firing artillery into Idlib, killing around a dozen people. We have yet to verify this, and the reporting has come from the notoriously unreliable White Helmets.
Thank you Jason for your antiwar views. One concern. “Bombing vehicles in a city would be a particularly disturbing trend, as it will often lead to civilian bystanders being in the line of fire.” Sure thing, but never mind the brave Syrian soldiers actually fighting against US-sponsored Al Qaeda/Islamist terrorists?
These is deliberate effort to undermine what has been achieved in Syria. So transparent, pathetically so.
It is a purest expression of impotent rage,
revenge against those who dared prove that there is no such thing as inevitability of US imposed will. In this case US, UK, France and the whole mighty NATO. And in Syria — unacceptable!
The key question is — who is funding them. There are no actual cells of terrorists operating in Syria outside of Idlib. This means that a professional saboteurs are operating in Syria, and somebody is paying them. Find the flow of money and supply of explosives, and you will find who is behind it.
In Idlib, one can safely assume that a collection of militant groups — unless they are under HTS control have nothing to do with it.
Only HTS that is US and UK funded and controls a number of groups. So far, US and UK have managed to get Russia agree to the last extension of UN food delivery INDEPENDENTLY. Translate, UN brings food across Turkey and gives it to HTS controlled “president”. Meaning HTS is having control over Idlib militants — those that came in from elsewhere, and native Idlib population and their tribal leaders
Once this arrangement stops — and Damascus can deliver aid, it will go directly to clans and militant groups that disarm. That would be the death of HTS.
White Helmets were evacuated. May be they are coming back on special assignments. Either way, it is do or die for HTS. Looks like Biden and his chum Johnson are inclined to try provocations.
I see nobody else that like HTS has more to lose, and has to try something to hurt Assad and Syrians.