News / Middle East

Death Toll Rises in Syria University Bombing

In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, damages cars are seen after an explosion hit a university in Aleppo, Syria, January 15, 2013.
In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, damages cars are seen after an explosion hit a university in Aleppo, Syria, January 15, 2013.
TEXT SIZE - +
VOA News
Fighting continues in areas across Syria Wednesday.  Meanwhile, a Syrian rights group says the death toll from two explosions at the University of Aleppo has risen to 87.

The opposition Local Coordination Committees reported shelling by government forces in Daraa, Homs and the suburbs around the capital, Damascus.

Meanwhile, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says more than 150 people were wounded in Tuesday's blasts in Aleppo and that the death toll could go higher.

The group told VOA there has been no claim of responsibility for the bombings.

Among the dead are students and refugees who had settled at the campus in Syria's largest city.

State media describe the explosions as a "terrorist attack," but did not specify the number of victims.  The country's education ministry says classes and exams will be suspended at the university Wednesday to mourn those who were killed.

The cause of the explosions is not clear, but the government and opposition activists blamed each other.

Aleppo, Syria's commercial hub, has been wracked by violence since rebels launched an all-out assault on the city in July 2012. The university is in government-controlled territory.

The observatory says nearly 200 people were killed Tuesday across Syria as rebel fighters continued their push to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad's government.

The 21-month conflict has killed at least 60,000 people.

You May Like

Karzai to Discuss Enhancing Defense Ties with India

Afghanistan looking for more military aid as it prepares for withdrawal of NATO forces by next year More

India, China Pledge to Overcome Border Tensions

Indian prime minister and Chinese premier attempt to move past tense standoff in the Himalayas during Delhi talks More

Burmese President Opens US Visit with VOA Town Hall Meeting

Ahead of his meeting with President Obama Monday, Thein Sein answered questions on human rights and economic development in his country More

This forum has been closed.
Comment Sorting
Comments
     
by: ekrem from: ankara
January 16, 2013 9:15 AM
The west including usa and uk, agrees on name of Esad, because they couldn t find any alternative yet which will keep relations tight with west, The Syrian national council has failed, the coalition has failed.. And the opposition on ground keep saying : we want to establish Islamic State, Caliphate.. Thats why the west keep playing on Esad, untill they find an alternative instead of Esed ..


by: Our Beloved Planet ! from: USA
January 16, 2013 7:45 AM
It’s Assad, is chief culprit of all pains and deaths in Syria.
So Brutally, Putin always feels very happy when the quantity of dead Syrians has been increasing remarkably.
Why?
Because, he will have got many chances to sell a lot of dangerous weapons to Assad.
To Putin, money is ALL, and forever, his power is always more precious than Russia as well as all people in the world.
And eternally, cruel violence is the best way for him, in order to get, protect and maintain his power.
The planet belongs to Putin?
Putin looks down on all people the world over so seriously.
Let’s stop all his so brutal plans towards all innocent and deplorable Syrians, through the savage hands of Assad as soon as possible!
Indirectly, Putin must also take full responsibility for all very painful deaths in Syria recently.
As a result, our necessary international military interventions in Syria, can be one of the best keys to break up Assad’s power to end all pains of Syrian people soon.
We ourselves - all right citizens of The Free World are really the top masters of the beloved and meaningful planet!

In Response

by: Amira Attay from: Los Angeles
January 16, 2013 2:35 PM
It sounds to me like a terrorist attack to create more chaos and unrest. The government has no benefit bombing students that are taking exams. Also, those civilians that have settled there are obviously seeking refuge in a government controlled territory are pro regime. This is clearly a cheap shot terrorist attack on inocent civilians by this disgusting Al Qaeda type of group of armed terrorists. These loosers need to just be wiped. I am sick and tired of them and their suicide bombings all day long in the name of freedom. Syria will not be your safe heaven and the people of Syria don't want you.

Featured Videos

Your JavaScript is turned off or you have an old version of Adobe's Flash Player. Get the latest Flash player.
Your JavaScript is turned off or you have an old version of Adobe's Flash Player. Get the latest Flash player.
Video

Video Valley Fever Raises Concerns in California, Arizona

A longstanding health problem in California's Central Valley has worsened in recent years, leading health officials to order the relocation of 3,000 prisoners from two state prisons. But the disease affects much of the population in some rural communities and, Mike O'Sullivan reports, while it often goes unnoticed, it sometimes can be devastating for patients.