Car Explosion Near Holy Shrine of Syeda Zainab in Damascus

Many people were injured when a bomb exploded near a revered shrine in the Syrian capital of Damascus on Thursday morning, according to initial reports by Syria official agency SANA. The explosion occurred near the holy shrine of Syeda Zainab (AS) that houses the tomb of Prophet Mohammed’s granddaughter, SANA reported. The blast occurred at a parking lot used by shrine-goers, the news agency reported. Reports had it that it could be suicidal attack and suicide bomber detonated the car. An AFP photographer at the site said the shrine’s windows were shattered by the force of the blast and several ceiling fans were knocked down. A video posted on YouTube by the opposition shortly after the explosion showed black smoke billowing from the vicinity of the shrine, which is located near two Syrian government security buildings. Heavy gunfire could be heard coming from the vicinity of the explosion, said the Local Coordination Committees of Syria, an opposition group that collects reports of casualties and violence. According to the CNN, its correspondent cannot independently confirm accounts of violence as access to Syria by journalists has been severely limited due to ongoing terrorism in all over Syria. The state-run media blamed “armed terrorists” for the attack in Damascus.