February 2016 Homs bombings

February 2016 Homs massacre
Part of Syrian Civil War
Location Al-Zahra neighbourhood, Homs, Syria
Date 21 February 2016
Target Alawite civilians heading to work
Attack type
Mass murder
Weapons Car bombs
Deaths 64[1]
Non-fatal injuries
100+
Perpetrators Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant
Motive Sectarian

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]

Bombings

The 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

References

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