Refresh Inbox
Refresh Inbox
ALEPPO, SYRIA (BNO NEWS) -- Syrian security forces have foiled an attempted suicide bombing in Syria's second city of Aleppo, just a day after two suicide bombers killed at least 55 people in the capital Damascus, state-run media reported on Friday. The would-be bomber was killed.
The state-run Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) said a stolen minibus ran over two police officers when they attempted to stop him in the densely-populated al-Shaar neighborhood of Aleppo, which is Syria's largest city and located in the country's northwest. It was not immediately clear if they were injured.
After the officers attempted to stop him, the attacker reportedly blew himself up with an explosive belt, killing only himself. A photo released by SANA showed a body of a the alleged bomber in the minivan's passenger seat, with extreme injuries to the lower part of his body but damage to the vehicle itself appeared to be minimal.
When examining the vehicle, security forces discovered four large tanks containing an estimated 1,200 kilograms (2,645 pounds) of explosives which Syrian authorities believe were to be used in a massive suicide bombing in Aleppo. It was not immediately clear if the bombing was due to take place on Friday and, if so, what the target would have been.
Details about the attempted bombing could not be independently verified due to government restrictions on the media.
The attempt comes just a day after two suicide bombers detonated their explosives-laden vehicles near the crowded al-Qazaz intersection at the southern ring-road and near a military intelligence building in Damascus. The explosions, which devastated nearby buildings and destroyed some 100 cars and pickup trucks, killed at least 55 people and injured more than 370 others.
But violence and suicide bombings have also increasingly affected other cities in Syria. In mid-February, at least 28 people were killed and 235 others were injured when a suicide bomber driving a white minibus broke through the security barrier at the entrance of a law enforcement building in the al-Arkoub area of Aleppo.
(Copyright 2012 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved. Info: sales@bnonews.com.) http://wire.bnonews.com/#g58330
