Several people are killed in a bomb blast in the Syrian capital, the 2nd such event in a week

 

On Thursday, July 27, a bomb concealed in a car detonated outside the Sayeda Zeinab shrine city, south of the Syrian capital Damascus, killing a number of people and injuring others, according to Syrian state media.

State media in Syria aired footage of a burnt-out car being doused with water and a nearby damaged structure. Around 5:30 p.m. (1430 GMT), a resident told Reuters that he heard a huge explosion, which was followed by police officers cordoning off the area.

It was the shrine's second attack this week. Tuesday saw two casualties from a different explosion. As Shi'ite Muslims throng to the shrine to observe Ashura's mourning period, it is the peak season for the shrine.

The Thursday attack elicited no immediate claims of accountability. Previous attacks on the location were blamed on the Islamic State organization. At least 40 individuals were killed in one incident in 2017.