The Syrian army has responded to Saturday’s suicide bombings against security offices in Homs with a series of air strikes on rebel held areas of the city.
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The Syrian army has responded to Saturday’s suicide bombings against security offices in Homs with a series of air strikes on rebel held areas of the city.
Videos uploaded to social media, show explosions and plumes of smoke rising from densely built-up areas.
War planes bomb Homs, Syria – amateur video https://t.co/Kjw5apEZWK pic.twitter.com/Xu9UGJq7S9
— Abhinav (@Abhinav_020) 25 February 2017
The army’s retaliation comes shortly after a series of jihadist attacks that claimed dozens of lives.
Suicide bombers and gunmen stormed two offices in the al-Ghouta and al-Mahatta districts of Homs, killing dozens.
The head of the city’s military intelligence was reportedly among the dead.
#Homs: #HTS carried out its 1st major infiltration op. & stormed State & Military Security HQs in highly secured Ghouta & Mahatta districts. pic.twitter.com/xofh7dNNj1
— Qalaat Al Mudiq (@QalaatAlMudiq) 25 February 2017
Jihadist-rebel alliance Tahrir al-Sham – which was formed this year out of several groups including Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, formerly known as the Nusra Front – said that five suicide bombers had carried out the attack, and celebrated their efforts, although they did not explicitly claim responsibility.
Homs, in western Syria has been largely under the control of the Assad regime since 2014.
However, rebels still control its al-Waer district, and on Saturday morning, suicide bombers stormed two offices, leaving dozens dead.
The day of violence disrupted peace talks in Geneva, where Syrian government and opposition delegates warned of the impact on negotiations which were only recently revived after a 10-month hiatus.
The United Nations, which is mediating the talks, warned that there would be further attempts to derail talks.