An Islamist group styling itself “al-Nusra Front” claimed reponsibility at the weekend for a suicide bombing which killed at least nine people in the Syrian capital Damascus after weekly prayers last Friday.
The group named the bomber as Abu Omar al-Shami and said he detonated his explosives amidst 150 members of the Syrian security forces who were gathered outside the Zain al-Abideen mosque in the Midan district of Damascus.
It was not possible to verify the statement.
Al-Nusra has also claimed responsibility for a January suicide bombing in Midan and other bombings in Damascus and in the northern city of Aleppo.
In a statement posted on the Islamist web forum al-Shamukh it said Fridays bombing targeted the “aggressors who surround the houses of God” to attack worshippers after their weekly prayers.
State media reported the funeral of 22 security force members on Saturday, including six of the people who were killed in the Midan explosion.
- (Reuters)