Thousands mourn victims of suicide bombing in Damascus

Thousands mourn victims of suicide bombing in Damascus

2012-01-08 03:14:40 GMT+7 (ICT)

DAMASCUS (BNO NEWS) -- Thousands of people on Saturday took part in a funeral ceremony for the victims of Friday's bomb attack in the Syrian capital of Damascus, the state-run Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported.

Mourners walked in a government-organized funeral procession which took place in the capital's al-Midan neighborhood, where the attack took place. The Syrian government said a total of 26 people were killed, including security forces and civilians.

Many participants of the funeral procession were carrying pictures of President Bashar al-Assad and chanted pro-government slogans. After holding prayers for the victims at a mosque, mourners carried the coffins covered by national flags trough streets lined with people.

"The gathering citizens denounced the heinous crimes committed by armed terrorist groups and affirmed the Syrian people's adherence to national unity and determination to remains steadfast to foil the conspiracy targeting Syria," SANA said in a news report.

At least 26 people were killed and 63 others were injured on Friday morning when an apparent suicide bomber blew himself up near Hassan al-Hakeem Basic Education School in the al-Midan neighborhood. The blast took place near a traffic light where crowds usually gather.

The country's Interior Ministry said a preliminary investigation showed that approximately 10 kilograms (22 pounds) of explosives were used in the blast. Photos and videos from the scene showed damaged and burnt out vehicles, blown out windows, blood and dead bodies.

It was not immediately known who was behind Friday's suicide bombing. The Syrian government has blamed previous attacks on al-Qaeda although observers have rejected those claims. Some opposition groups have accused the government of staging 'terrorist attacks' to justify the ongoing government crackdown.

On December 23, at least 44 people were killed and 166 others were injured when two suicide bombers hit two government buildings in Damascus. One of the bombers targeted a building of the Area Security Branch in Damascus while another drove his vehicle into the General Intelligence Administration building.

Syria has been part of the wider Arab Spring movement which began in early 2011 and has been riddled by violence ever since. Pro-democracy demonstrations have spread across the country since mid-March, resulting in a fierce government crackdown which has left at least 5,000 people killed.

The Syrian government has repeatedly claimed that violent acts against protesters have been carried out by 'terrorists dressed as soldiers,' although international observers have rejected these claims. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad previously admitted mistakes were made, but claimed protesters were no longer being targeted.

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