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| File Photo: released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, Syrians gather around burning buildings after a bomb attack at the Sayyida Zeinab suburb, Damascus, Syria, Saturday, June 11, 2016. (AP) |
Twin explosions Saturday near religious shrines frequented by Shia pilgrims in the Syrian capital Damascus killed at least 40 people, Arab media and activists reported.
Syria State TV aired footage from the scene showing blood-soaked streets and several damaged buses in a parking lot, apparently where the explosions went off near Bab al-Saghir cemetery. The cemetery is one of the capital's most ancient and is where several prominent religious figures are buried.
There were conflicting reports on what caused the explosions. State news agency SANA said 33 were killed in the explosions and more than a hundred wounded in the blasts caused by bombs placed near the cemetery.
Lebanon's al-Manar TV quoted Syrian officials saying 40 were killed in twin suicide attacks. Arab TV Al-Mayadeen said at least 40 were killed even though the area was under tight security.
Britain-based Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition monitoring group with activists on the ground, said at least 44 were killed in the explosions that targeted buses arriving near the cemetery. The Observatory said the death toll is likely higher because dozens were wounded.
A similar attack in the capital targeted one of the most revered Shia shrine in the capital last year and was claimed by the Islamic State militants.
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