On 21 February 2016, two car bombs struck exploded in the predominantly Alawite neighborhood of al-Zahra in Homs, Syria.[2] The bombings killed at least 57 people and injured more than 100 others.[3] At least 60 surrounding buildings and dozens of cars were destroyed in the blasts.[4]
| February 2016 Homs massacre | |
|---|---|
| Part of Syrian Civil War | |
| Location | Al-Zahra neighbourhood, Homs, Syria |
| Date | 21 February 2016 +3 (EEST) |
| Target | Alawite civilians heading to work |
Attack type | Mass murder |
| Weapons | Car bombs |
| Deaths | 64[1] |
| Injured | 100+ |
| Perpetrators |  ISIS |
| Motive | Sectarian |
Bombings
editThe bombings occurred during the Sunday morning rush hour on the Sixtieth Street. The initial death toll was 34, but rose due to the number of people critically injured.[5] According to a Syrian government television channel, they targeted students and government employees going to work. Dozens of vehicles were destroyed and a number of nearby buildings were damaged. It aimed supporters of the government at a time when it was making significant military gains.[6]
The bombings occurred on the same day as bombings in the Damascus suburb of Sayyidah Zaynab that killed at least 30.[7] The attacks in Homs and Damascus were claimed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.[3][8]
Bombings in Homs in January 2016 had killed 22 people.[9]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Nearly 200 people killed in six explosions at Sayeda Zeinab and Zahraa, SOHR, 23 February 2016.
- ^ "Provisional agreement reached on Syrian ceasefire, car bombs kill 46 in city of Homs". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved 21 February 2016.
- ^ a b "Twin bombings claimed by Islamic State kill dozens in Syria's Homs". Reuters. 21 February 2016. Retrieved 21 February 2016.
- ^ ISIL car bomb attacks kill 129 in Damascus and Homs, Al Jazeera, 21 February 2016
- ^ "Dozens Killed in Double Car Bombing in Syrian City of Homs". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 21 February 2016.
- ^ "Syria: Dozens killed as bombers strike in Homs and Damascus, regime says". CNN. 21 February 2016. Retrieved 21 February 2016.
- ^ "Syria conflict: Blasts in Homs and Damascus 'kill dozens'". BBC News. 21 February 2016. Retrieved 21 February 2016.
- ^ More Than 140 Killed by ISIS Bombings in Damascus, Homs in Syria, Haaretz, 21 February 2016
- ^ "Bombings kill at least 87 in Syria as Kerry pushes ceasefire". Times Live. Retrieved 21 February 2016.