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Deadly car bomb hits funeral in Damascus suburb | Deadly car bomb hits funeral in Damascus suburb |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Twelve people have been killed by a car bomb at a funeral in the Jaramana suburb of the Syrian capital Damascus, state TV has reported. | Twelve people have been killed by a car bomb at a funeral in the Jaramana suburb of the Syrian capital Damascus, state TV has reported. |
Injuries were also reported, with state media saying 48 people were wounded. | Injuries were also reported, with state media saying 48 people were wounded. |
The funeral was for two supporters of the regime of President Bashar al-Assad, according to a UK-based opposition group. | The funeral was for two supporters of the regime of President Bashar al-Assad, according to a UK-based opposition group. |
Activists estimate over 20,000 people have died since March 2011, with over a million thought to be displaced. | Activists estimate over 20,000 people have died since March 2011, with over a million thought to be displaced. |
The two who were being buried had reportedly been killed in a bomb attack on Monday. | The two who were being buried had reportedly been killed in a bomb attack on Monday. |
A taxi had been used to carry the bomb, according to state-run news agency Sana. | A taxi had been used to carry the bomb, according to state-run news agency Sana. |
The suburb of Jaramana where the blast occurred is predominantly populated by Christians and Druze, who follow an offshoot of Shia Islam. | |
Pictures of the aftermath of the bombing showed several destroyed vehicles and damage to surrounding buildings. | Pictures of the aftermath of the bombing showed several destroyed vehicles and damage to surrounding buildings. |
Government offensive | |
Violence continued across Syria on Tuesday, with reports of shelling around Damascus and fighting in the northern province of Idlib. | Violence continued across Syria on Tuesday, with reports of shelling around Damascus and fighting in the northern province of Idlib. |
Several districts to the east of Damascus came under heavy attack, activists said, as government forces step up efforts to clear the area of anti-government forces. | Several districts to the east of Damascus came under heavy attack, activists said, as government forces step up efforts to clear the area of anti-government forces. |
Opposition fighters regrouped there after the regime claimed to have expelled them from the capital a month ago, the BBC's Barbara Plett reports from neighbouring Lebanon. | |
Anti-regime forces have been using guerilla-style hit-and-run tactics in the capital since then, our correspondent adds. | |
Over the weekend, more than 200 people were reported killed in the town of Darayya near Damascus, the latest in a series of mass killings which have shocked Syrians. | Over the weekend, more than 200 people were reported killed in the town of Darayya near Damascus, the latest in a series of mass killings which have shocked Syrians. |
Clashes were also reported on Tuesday in Idlib province, with activists saying 13 people had been killed by an air strike in the town of Kafr Nabl. | Clashes were also reported on Tuesday in Idlib province, with activists saying 13 people had been killed by an air strike in the town of Kafr Nabl. |
Refugee influx | |
Meanwhile, the number of refugees fleeing into Turkey from Syria could reach 200,000, the UN's refugee agency has warned. | Meanwhile, the number of refugees fleeing into Turkey from Syria could reach 200,000, the UN's refugee agency has warned. |
In the past two weeks, 5,000 people have been crossing the border every day, compared with 500 a day earlier in the month, according to the UNHCR. | In the past two weeks, 5,000 people have been crossing the border every day, compared with 500 a day earlier in the month, according to the UNHCR. |
The Turkish authorities are planning to set up extra camps for the refugees but have warned they may soon run out of space. | The Turkish authorities are planning to set up extra camps for the refugees but have warned they may soon run out of space. |
Turkey already plays host to almost 80,000 Syrian refugees and has called on the international community to help share the burden. | Turkey already plays host to almost 80,000 Syrian refugees and has called on the international community to help share the burden. |
Turkish officials have suggested the UN may need to create safe zones in Syria to cope with the influx. | Turkish officials have suggested the UN may need to create safe zones in Syria to cope with the influx. |
The rate of arrivals at the Zaatari camp in northern Jordan has also doubled over the past week, according to the UNHCR. | |
The agency says it has also noted an increase in the number of unaccompanied children arriving in Jordan. | |
"Some children report that their parents have died, or are staying behind in Syria to look after relatives, or are working in other countries," UNHCR spokeswoman Melissa Fleming said. |