The March 2012 Damascus bombings were two large car bombs that exploded in front of the air intelligence and criminal security headquarters in the Syrian capital of Damascus. At least 27 people were reported killed and over a 140 injured in the fourth major bombing since the beginning of the uprising and the second in the city. As in previous cases, the opposition blamed the government for orchestrating attacks, while the government placed the blame on terrorists and foreign groups.[2]
March 2012 Damascus Bombings | |
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Part of the Syrian Civil War | |
![]() Damascus highlighted within Syria | |
Location | Damascus |
Date | March 17, 2012 7:30 AM[1] (UTC+2:00) |
Target | Government security buildings[1] |
Attack type | Car bombings[1] |
Deaths | 27[1] |
Injured | 140 |
Perpetrators | al-Nusra Front[citation needed] |
Background
editThe bombing came near the date of the one-year anniversary of the 2011–12 Syrian uprising. There had already been two bombings in Damascus and one in Aleppo. Another Aleppo car bombing came the next day, followed by a car bombing in Daraa.
Bombings
editTwo large car bombs exploded on 17 March 2012 at 7:30 AM[1] in front of the air intelligence and criminal security headquarters in the Syrian capital of Damascus. At least 27 people were reported killed and over a 140 injured.
The government placed the blame on terrorists and foreign groups, while the opposition blamed it for orchestrating attacks to divert attention from its atrocities.[2]
Responsibility for the attack was claimed by the al-Nusra Front.[3]
Perpetrators
editAl-Nusra Front is a jihadist group which also claims responsibility for the earlier al-Midan bombing and the Aleppo bombings.[citation needed]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d e "Twin car bombs kill dozens in Damascus". Al Jazeera. 4 October 2011. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
- ^ a b "Twin bombings in Damascus kill at least 27, almost 100 hurt". Reuters. 17 March 2012. Retrieved 17 March 2012.
- ^ "Islamist group claims Syria bombs 'to avenge Sunnis'". Al Arabiya. 21 March 2012. Retrieved 23 March 2012.