Car Bomb Hits Near Russia Base in Northeast Syria

Arab World

January 1st, 12:02pm

Asharq Al-Awsat

A car bomb explosion in Syria. (File photo: AFP)

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group reported several wounded in the attack after midnight in the Tal Saman area in Raqa province, but did not give an exact figure. There was no immediate Russian report of the incident, which occurred in a broader area controlled by Kurdish-led forces but where the Syrian regime and its ally Russia are also present, AFP reported. A statement circulated on social media and attributed to the Al-Qaeda-linked Hurras al-Deen extremist group claimed the attack. The Observatory said two men parked an explosives-laden pickup truck outside the base and fled, in what was a rare such assault by Hurras al-Deen in the area. “It’s the first such direct attack against a Russian base in northeastern Syria,” Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman said. Russia entered Syria’s war in 2015 and its air force has backed Damascus regime forces. Russian troops are stationed in northern Syria, including as part of several deals brokered with rebel backer Turkey. Syria’s war has killed more than 387,000 people and displaced millions from their homes since starting in 2011 with the brutal repression of anti-government protests.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/2715391/car-bomb-hits-near-russia-base-northeast-syria