Two coastal cities in Syria, Tartus and Jableh, were subject to explosions which killed more than 80 people and wounded 200 others.The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights places the death toll at over 100. The Islamic State group declared themselves responsible for the attacks. These were the first explosions aimed towards civilians near these Assad strongholds. These attacks indicate a security breach as these cities have been calm during the war, now in its sixth year. They are home to thousands of people taking refuge from other violent areas in Syria. Russian President Vladimir Putin’s spokesperson stated that the attack “once again demonstrates how fragile the situation in Syria is.”
A resident of one of these cities said that she heard the first explosion and then heard ambulance sirens heading towards the scene. Ninth graders were taking exams Monday which finished at 9:30 AM, which was around the same time of the explosion. The bus stop would have been crowded. A local gas station which receives more than 100 cars at that time of day was also targeted. Footage shown on state-run Ikhbariya TV showed cars on fire, black smoke in the air, and charred remains of cars in a bus station in Jableh. These attacks are taking place at a particularly fragile time, as world powers have been attempting to coordinate peace talks in Geneva.
“We will not be deterred…we will use everything we have to fight the terrorists,” said Syrian Cabinet Minister Omran al-Zoubi on Syrian TV.