Massive double blast rocks Syrian military HQ in Damascus

 
p24 epa03410574 A handout photo made available by Syria’s official news agency SANA shows columns of smoke rising from the site that has been hit by two powerful explosions in Damascus, Syria, 26 September 2012. According to media reports, two strong explosions rattled the upscale Abu Roumana neighborhood in the capital Damascus near the chief of staff’s offices and the aviation department and a fire broke out in the area. The area has witnessed heavy security presence and all roads leading to the site have been closed.
epa
Bo Wilson26 September 2012

Damascus was rocked by two huge explosions near the army and air force command headquarters today.

The rebel Free Syrian Army claimed responsibility for the blasts at the general staff building in Umayyad Square and said the explosions killed “dozens” — but Syrian state TV played down the bombings, saying they only caused material damage.

Windows of buildings, including the entire facade of the Dama Rose hotel, were shattered in the blasts, which were heard several miles away.

Iranian Press TV said one of its correspondents had been killed covering the attack and subsequent gun battles.

The correspondent was identified as 33-year-old Maya Nasser, a Syrian national.

The uprising against President Bashar al Assad’s regime has intensified and the bombings highlight the growing reach of the rebels.

Syria’s state-run news agency SANA said the blasts were caused by two “large, highly explosive” improvised devices, one of which may have been placed “on the inner side of the fence” of the army command building.

Information Minister Omran Zoubi told Syrian TV there were no casualties: “I can confirm that all our comrades in the military command and defence ministry are fine.

“Everything is normal. There was a terrorist act, perhaps near a significant location, yes, this is true, but they failed as usual to achieve their goals.”

The civil war has now killed nearly 30,000 people according to activists. Over the past few months, the rebels have increasingly targeted security sites and symbols of regime power.

In New York this week UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon demanded international action to stop the 18-month violence.

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