World

Syria: Suicide Bombings Ravage Aleppo Leaving 28 Dead, Over 200 Wounded

Syrian Suicide Bombing in AleppoALEPPO, Syria (The Blaze/AP) — Two suicide car bombers struck security compounds in Aleppo on Friday, killing 28 people, Syrian officials said, bringing significant violence for the first time to an industrial center that has largely stood by President Bashar Assad during the 11-month uprising against his rule.

Anti-Assad activists denied any involvement and accused the regime of setting off the blasts to smear the opposition as government forces pummel rebels in one of their main strongholds, Homs. State media touted the bombings as proof the regime faces a campaign by terrorists, not a popular uprising.

The military stepped up its siege of Homs, where hundreds have reportedly been killed over the past week. Soldiers who have been bombarding the central city made their first ground move, storming into one of the most restive neighborhoods.

Troops and security forces opened fire on anti-regime protesters who streamed out of mosques after Friday prayers nationwide. At least 27 civilians were killed, according to the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The morning blasts in Aleppo, Syria’s most populous city, ripped apart the facades of the local headquarters of the Military Intelligence Directorate and a barracks of the Security Preservation forces.

At the Directorate, windows were shattered and a large crater was torn into the pavement outside the entrance. A weeping correspondent on state-run TV showed graphic footage of at least five corpses, collected in sacks and under blankets by the side of the road.

Security officials said suicide bombers in explosives-packed vehicles tried to smash through the entrances of both sites. At the barracks, Brig. Firas Abbas told an Associated Press reporter on a government-guided visit to the scene that the vehicle made it through one roadblock before detonating near the gates. A head lay on the ground and security officials said it belonged to a suicide attacker.

RT provides a report:

State television cited the Health Ministry as saying 28 people were killed in the two blasts and 235 wounded. The dead included 11 security personnel killed at the barracks, 13 military personnel killed at the military intelligence building and four civilians, security officials said.

State TV blamed “terrorists.” But anti-government activists accused the regime of setting off the blasts to discredit the opposition and avert protests that had been planned in the city on Friday.

Capt. Ammar al-Wawi of the Free Syrian Army, a rebel group that wants to bring down the regime by force, denied involvement. He said fighters from his group had a short gunbattle with troops several hundred yards (meters) from the Directorate about an hour before the explosion but did not carry out the bombings.

“This explosion is the work of the regime to divert world attention from the crimes it is committing against the people of Homs,” he said.

The blasts were the fourth such dramatic suicide attack since late December. All occurred on Friday mornings against various security headquarters and prompted the same exchange of accusations. The earlier attacks, in the capital Damascus, killed dozens of security forces and civilians, according to Syrian officials. Nobody has claimed responsibility for any of the attacks.

Friday’s bombings were the first significant violence in Aleppo, a northern city of some 2 million people that is home to a prosperous business community and merchant class whose continued backing for Assad has been crucial in bolstering his regime.

The city has seen only occasional protests. Assad’s opponents have had little success in galvanizing support there, in part because business leaders have long traded political freedoms for economic privileges. Also, the city has a large population of Kurds, who have mostly stayed on the sidelines of the uprising since Assad’s regime began giving them long-denied citizenship as a gesture to win support.

Still, hours after the explosions, hundreds of protesters marched in several Aleppo neighborhoods after Friday prayers, part of nationwide demonstrations labeled “Friday of ‘Russia is killing our children’” – a denunciation of Russia’s veto of a U.N. attempt to condemn Syria’s crackdown.

Regime forces opened fire on the Aleppo protesters, killing at least seven, according to the Observatory. Another activist group, the Local Coordination Committees put the Aleppo toll at 12 and said 22 others had been killed nationwide. The figures could not be independently confirmed due to restrictions the Syrian government has put on journalists.

Assad’s crackdown has killed well over 5,400 people since the uprising began in March, according to U.N. estimates.

The regime’s crackdown on dissent has left it almost completely isolated internationally – except for key support from Russia and China, which delivered a double veto to block a U.N. resolution calling on Assad to leave power.

The king of Saudi Arabia, which has led Arab efforts against Assad, made his first public comments on Syria’s crisis Friday. He denounced the Russian and Chinese vetoes, saying “the confidence of the world in the U.N. has undoubtedly been shaken.”

“These countries don’t rule the world, never. The world is ruled by wisdom, fairness, morals, and standing up to the aggressor,” King Abdullah said in a televised speech. “We are living scary, scary days.”

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov signaled Friday that Moscow would use its veto again to block any resolution aimed at ousting Assad.

“If our foreign partners don’t understand that, we will have to use strong means again and again to call them back to reality,” he was quoted as saying by the ITAR-Tass news agency.

Moscow’s stance is motivated in part by its strategic and defense ties, including weapons sales, with Syria. Russia also rejects what it sees as a world order dominated by the U.S. Last month, Russia reportedly signed a $550 million deal to sell combat jets to Syria.

Across Syria on Friday, thousands held protests denouncing the Russian position, from the northwestern province of Idlib, to the suburbs of Damascus, the Mediterranean coastal city of Latakia and the eastern town of Deir al-Zour.

A week ago, security forces launched a major assault on Homs after unconfirmed reports that army defectors and other armed opponents of Assad were setting up their own checkpoints and taking control of the most restive neighborhoods.

Days of bombardment of the neighborhoods with artillery, heavy machine guns and mortars continued Friday, as troops on the ground backed by tanks for the first time pushed into one of the districts, Inshaat, activists said.

The Observatory said troops were going house to house detaining people. Inshaat is next to Baba Amr, a neighborhood that has been under rebel control for months.

“They are punishing the residents,” said the Observatory’s chief Rami Abdul-Rahman, who added that food supplies were dwindling in the area.

Mohammed Saleh, a Syria-based activist, said the regime appears to be trying to take over rebel-held areas in Homs and Idlib before Feb. 17, when Assad’s ruling Baath party is scheduled to hold its first general conference since 2005.

The conference is expected to move on reforms that Assad has promised in a bid to calm the uprising. During the conference, Baath party leaders are expected to call for national dialogue and announce they will open the way for other political parties to play a bigger role in Syria’s politics.

The opposition has rejected such promises as insincere and said it will not accept anything less than Assad’s departure.

Comments (42)

  • MelSalvo
    Posted on February 13, 2012 at 8:12am

    They are all determined to blow each other up. I say let them. They never want peace as we tried to help them attain in Irac & Afghanistan. They just want to use our military to blow up the opposing political think, then blame us for interfering like Egypt. I think we should stir them up against themselves so they will eliminate themselves. Those who are left, if any, will look at themselves and realise that their way didn’t work. Or we can just move in and take over with our government…If we still have one by then..

    Report Post » MelSalvo  
  • g.prunty
    Posted on February 11, 2012 at 7:13pm

    here we are again because they are armed lets blame it on the west the brits and the jews she talked alot of trash, show me the prove although I feel and hope( she is correct,
    someone has to arm them)

    Report Post »  
  • sjohn70037
    Posted on February 11, 2012 at 1:17pm

    As long as it‘s muslims killing muslims I couldn’t care less. Adios MFs.

    Report Post » sjohn70037  
  • MajorJim
    Posted on February 10, 2012 at 9:11pm

    We can’t wait to hand yet another country to the muslim brotherhood and alqaeda, did we learn anything from Egypt and Libya?

    Report Post »  
    • thetrumpet2012
      Posted on February 11, 2012 at 1:07am

      Syria’s leaders will fall. Right now they are with the Iranian camp, but Syria will soon join the Saudi Muslim group. To find out more about these end time groups that align with the King of the North, please go to http://www.thetrumpet.com

      Report Post »  
  • QuranIsCorruptAndMuhammadPossessedBySatan
    Posted on February 10, 2012 at 7:52pm

    Russia TV is KGB propaganda TV and is lying about who did the bombing.

    Did you hear the woman she says the bomb came from “London, America, Paris and ISRAEL”

    So they are lying.

    It is a battle between Sunni backed militias, backed by Saudis, the Arab Gulf and the Muslim Brotherhood AGAINST Shia Iran, Hezoballah in Lebanon and the Syrian Shia government.

    Russia TV is lying and so anytime you listen to Russia Today, you are basically listening to KGB TV.

    Report Post »  
  • lukerw
    Posted on February 10, 2012 at 7:48pm

    Ever notice… Muslims are not great at Building… but quite good at Destroying?

    Report Post » lukerw  
  • TheObamanation
    Posted on February 10, 2012 at 7:39pm

    George W Bush strikes again.

    Report Post » TheObamanation  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on February 10, 2012 at 7:38pm

    Anyone wonder if these bombers are coming from Iran?

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • riseandshine
      Posted on February 10, 2012 at 7:49pm

      I would guess Mossad.

      Report Post » riseandshine  
    • QuranIsCorruptAndMuhammadPossessedBySatan
      Posted on February 10, 2012 at 7:53pm

      You guess wrong.

      It is from the Muslim Brotherhood, the Sunnis.

      Report Post »  
    • 13th Imam
      Posted on February 10, 2012 at 8:15pm

      Or it could be the CIA,, posing as Mossad, posing as the Muslim Bros. , posing as the Sunni’s

      Report Post » 13th Imam  
    • Robert-CA
      Posted on February 10, 2012 at 11:54pm

      it’s coming from Syria .
      Syrian regime harbors & sponsors & trains all radical muslim terrorist groups in the world .
      You name any muslim terrorist group & you’ll find their headquarters in Damascus .

      Report Post » Robert-CA  
  • MCDAVE
    Posted on February 10, 2012 at 7:32pm

    While Barry rests comfortably in the White house, the seeds he’s sown are beginning to bear fruit…war,violence hatred,killing and poverty…good job Barry

    Report Post »  
  • momrules
    Posted on February 10, 2012 at 7:29pm

    Imagine this happening In cities across America. Government and it’s supporters against the rest of us, food shortages, no medicine, no water.
    It’s moving slower for us here but we are headed in the same direction as the Middle East.
    If you haven’t started preparations for hard times ahead you had better get started.
    If you haven’t read your Bible recently start reading.

    Report Post »  
    • mixplix
      Posted on February 13, 2012 at 7:26am

      Reading your Bible is not going to defend or feed you. Learn how to get pure water, learn some survival skills, there’s plenty of knowledge if you look for it but begging the government to provide for you is a lost cause because there will be millions doing that. It’s sad but there are thousands that cannot cook a meal.

      Report Post » mixplix  
  • Eraldo NY Tea Party
    Posted on February 10, 2012 at 7:26pm

    The only way is praying everyday to Our Lord Jesus asking God guidance.

    God bless you all

    Report Post » Eraldo NY Tea Party  
  • 3monkeysmomma
    Posted on February 10, 2012 at 7:21pm

    Hey Tiffany/Blaze,

    I know this is totally off topic here, but are you guys going to do a story about Judge Napolitano’s show being abruptly cancelled? I’m sure it had NOTHING to do with the fact that he had analyst on yesterday predicting that Ron Paul is LIKELY to be on the ticket in November.

    Report Post » 3monkeysmomma  
  • TJexcite
    Posted on February 10, 2012 at 7:12pm

    Just who are the rebels in Syria. I would think they same people now in charge of Libya, Tunisia and Egypt just not as organized. How about we find out before we start supporting them. Just because they are in the middle of a massacre does not mean they are the good guys being wiped out.

    There is no Washington, Jefferson or Franklin is coming out of Syria only Muslim Brotherhood and other like groups.

    Report Post » TJexcite  
    • 13th Imam
      Posted on February 10, 2012 at 8:11pm

      All of them, on both sides, were dancing in the streets when the WTC came down. Screw them. Let them kill each other. It’s been the Muslim way from the beginning.

      Report Post » 13th Imam  
    • riseandshine
      Posted on February 10, 2012 at 9:08pm

      I agree Imam…we shouldn’t be meddling over there. We should set an example as a free and thriving nation, and the people of these countries will demand to have what we have. I believe it is still possible to go that route, but it won’t happen. These are end times. No matter what happens, we can always have peace in our own lives…it’s up to us.The Lord’s hand is stretched out all the day long to each and every one of us. Peace.

      Report Post » riseandshine  
  • mike_trivisonno
    Posted on February 10, 2012 at 7:12pm

    The flower of Islam opening wide…

    …and devouring every soul in sight.

    Report Post » mike_trivisonno  
  • riseandshine
    Posted on February 10, 2012 at 7:10pm

    I very much doubt they were suicide bombings.

    Report Post » riseandshine  
  • Baddoggy
    Posted on February 10, 2012 at 7:09pm

    The Civil War in the Muslim world is here. We need to get out of the way and let them settle it. Israel cantake care of the radical leftovers.

    Bring our troops home and stop the useless Nation building. They will just tear it down after we build it. If you haven’t figured it out yet…WE ARE BROKE!

    Wake up Sheeple!

    Report Post » Baddoggy  
    • mike_trivisonno
      Posted on February 10, 2012 at 7:15pm

      It is violent jihad, not civili war.

      They would do such even absent our presence. It is a fundamental function of their culture and has ever been so.

      Report Post » mike_trivisonno  
  • mjjust
    Posted on February 10, 2012 at 7:06pm

    Screw it, let them fight it out.

    Report Post »  
  • 13th Imam
    Posted on February 10, 2012 at 6:58pm

    Barry and Basher

    Good Together

    Report Post » 13th Imam  

Sign In To Post Comments! Sign In

Sign Up For Our Newsletter!

Glenn Beck Radio

Listen to Glenn Beck 24/7 Listen Now
Restoring Love