25 Syrians killed in twin blasts in Aleppo city

Herald Globe Friday 10th February, 2012

Damascus - At least 25 people were killed Friday when two powerful car bombs targeting security posts ripped through Syria's second largest city of Aleppo even as protests continued in Homs, which has been the target of military action over last several days, state media said.

State television blamed "armed terrorist groups" for the bomb blasts in Aleppo.

It is for the first time that Aleppo, a major commercial hub, was witnessing such devastating blast since the outbreak of violent protests in March last year against President Bashar al-Assad's regime.

State television said a suicide bomber had tried to target a police intelligence base with a car packed with explosives. Instead it destroyed a nearby food distribution centre.

"The number of martyrs who have been transported to hospital in Aleppo have so far reached 25 dead," the state television reported quoting health ministry sources.

Mostly civilians are among the casualty. Around 175 people have been injured in the attacks.

Gruesome images of mangled bodies in pools of blood in the street outside rows of shattered buildings were shown on state television.

Rami Abdel Rahman of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that tanks have entered the neighbourhood of Inshaat overnight.

In Homs, military continued with its patrolling and search operations to weed out the protesters. Over 400 people have been killed in Homs since Saturday, according to activists

Al-Rawda mosque in Al-Waer district of Homs also witnessed violence with troops firing on worshippers after their Friday prayers.

The government had deployed forces outside most mosques in the country as protesters denounced Russia's support for Assad, leading to stalling of the proposed UN Security Council proposal last week to ensure a smooth change of government in Syria.

In Moscow, meanwhile, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told ITAR-Tass news agency the opposition's refusal to enter direct talks with Syria's government meant it "bears full responsibility for improving the situation."

He accused the West of being "accomplices in the process of inflaming the crisis."

Russia is remaining steadfast in its stand to prevent any foreign intervention in the internal affairs of Syria, even as several countries consider various options including further sanctions to make Syria heed their concerns.

Germany has voiced support to a proposed joint Arab League-UN mission to monitor the situation in Syria.

"In addition to the establishment of a contact group of 'friends of a democratic Syria' we must also undertake a new attempt to resolve the crisis through the United Nations," Germany's Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said in Berlin.

Germany's backing comes ahead of Arab League foreign ministers' meeting this weekend.