DAMASCUS, (PNA/Xinhua) — Syria’s state media said a “terrorist” explosion rocked a pro-government suburb east of the capital Damascus Saturday morning, spelling no further details, as activists said the blast led to the killing of 16 soldiers.
The official SANA news agency said the blast targeted the suburb of Jaramana from the adjacent Mlaiha suburb, giving no specific location, while the activist Syrian Observatory for Human Rights was quoted by Lebanese New TV as saying the explosion was caused by a suicide car bomb at a military checkpoint in Mlaiha.
The Observatory said 16 soldiers were killed in the blast, adding that intense fighting between government troops and rebels ensued. Moreover, activists said the suicide bomber was a member of the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front.
Meanwhile, local media reports said that three mortar shells landed in Jaramana after the blast and caused material losses.
The Mlaiha suburb has emerged as main battleground between the rebels and the Syrian troops.
Also, mortars and explosive-laden cars have hit Jaramana several times in the past few months, killing tens of people, wounding many more and destroying homes and shops.