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Minibus bomb in Jaramana
A bomb hidden inside a passenger minibus detonated in the Damascus suburb of Jaramana on Thursday night, killing two people and injuring 13 others, according to Syria's Health Ministry as cited by i24NEWS.
“kills 2, injures 13 in Damascus suburb”
The explosion occurred in Jaramana as the vehicle passed through the Al-Rawda neighborhood during peak traffic hours, and Syrian state media reported that preliminary findings indicated the blast was caused by a bomb planted inside the vehicle.
Reuters reported that a bomb planted in a minibus killed two people and wounded 14 others on the outskirts of Damascus, with a security source telling state-run Ekhbariya TV that the blast was caused by an explosive device planted on the vehicle.
In the aftermath, Reuters quoted Jaramana resident Samer Abbas describing the moment as "It was a strong unnatural sound," and said shrapnel hit his storefront.
Reuters also quoted Bassel Imad at Mujtahid Hospital calling the bombing "sadistic," as his cousin Safouh was driving the vehicle that exploded and lay injured.
Claims, investigation, and voices
Syrian authorities said security forces launched an investigation after the blast, and The Tribune reported that the cause of the explosion remained under investigation with authorities not yet announcing who was responsible for planting the explosive device.
Shafaq News reported that a little-known group calling itself Minbar Ansar al-Rasoul claimed responsibility for the bomb attack on the passenger minibus in Jaramana.
Reuters quoted Jaramana resident Samer Abbas saying, "My blood dried up until I checked up on him, I saw him ... until I heard his voice," after he feared for his son.
At Mujtahid Hospital, Reuters quoted Bassel Imad describing the bombing as "sadistic," while Safouh lay injured after driving the vehicle that exploded.
France 24, citing state media, reported that "human remains were being identified and processed by forensic medical teams," as ambulances headed to the scene and a main thoroughfare was closed to traffic.
Security stakes around Damascus
The bombing in Jaramana came as Syrian authorities said Damascus and surrounding areas continued to experience attacks targeting both civilians and security personnel, according to i24NEWS.
“killed one person and wounded 36 others”
i24NEWS also said the latest bombing came just weeks after twin improvised explosive device attacks in the same area killed one person and wounded 36 others during a visit to Damascus by French President Emmanuel Macron, and that Syrian authorities later said they had dismantled an Islamic State-affiliated cell.
France 24 reported that since the toppling of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, Syria's new Islamist authorities have sought to exercise full control and restore security, but the capital and its suburbs have remained the site of multiple attacks targeting civilians and security forces.
The National reported that hospitals were placed on high alert while forensic workers examined the bodies, and quoted a lawyer in Rawda saying, "I didn’t count but there must have been two dozen casualties," after rushing to the site.
In parallel, Arab News PK said the blast happened as the vehicle was passing through the Al-Rawda neighborhood of Jaramana and that no group had claimed responsibility, while security teams opened an investigation and no arrests had been reported.
