On 23 May 2016, eight bombings were carried out by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant in Jableh and Tartus, coastline cities in Syria. 184 people were killed and at least 200 people injured.[1] One of the major explosions occurred at the Jableh National Hospital, in the city of Jableh, where likely 43 people were killed.[3] Doctors and nurses were among the dead. The bombings in Tartus targeted a bus station (bus stations were also targeted in Jableh). Many of the blasts were only a few seconds apart.[4] The attacks took place in relatively violence-free areas of Syria. Many of the facilities, which were hit, are no longer operational.[5] The cities were government-controlled territory, that hosted Russian military bases. Russia has a naval base in Tartus and an air base near Jableh.[6][2]
The Syrian government had accused Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey of being behind the wave of bombings in these cities.[6][2]
See also
References
- ^ a b "Pressure builds on IS with twin assaults in Syria and Iraq". Retrieved 26 May 2016.
- ^ a b c d "Bombs kill nearly 150 in Syrian government-held cities: monitor". Reuters.
- ^ Philip Issa (24 May 2016). "Suicide bombing killed 43 at Syrian hospital: WHO". Global News. Retrieved 26 May 2016.
- ^ "Syria bombings claimed by ISIS kill 148 at hospital, bus station". 23 May 2016. Retrieved 26 May 2016.
- ^ "Death toll rises to 161 in bombings of Syrian government strongholds". Fox News. 24 May 2016. Retrieved 26 May 2016.
- ^ a b "Syria blames Turkey, Qatar and Saudi Arabia for deadly bombings". bbc.
