Damascus (AsiaNews/ Agencies) - The bomb exploded in the center of the Syrian capital in the headquarters of the Baath Party. At least 35 victims with more than 200 injured. The explosion damaged several buildings, including the Russian embassy. This is the worst attack in Damascus after the double attack on May 10, 2012, which killed 55 people
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, two more bombs exploded shortly after the first in the district of Barzeh, killing other civilians, but it is not clear if the two attacks are connected. The attack comes after days of clashes and bombings in Damascus and in the midst of a crisis between the Free Syrian Army and Hezbollah, the Lebanese Shiite Muslim group close to Assad, accused of having plundered villages and rebel camps near Homs.
In recent days, the rebels attacked Damascus and launched mortars at the presidential palace. Yesterday, Russia and the Arab League offered to mediate talks between the government of Bashar al-Assad and insurgents.