Explosions rock Damascus

Explosions rock Damascus

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Top news: At least two explosions hit Damascus on Friday morning. State television reported that car bombs had targeted the State Security office and that at least 30 people -- mostly civilians had been killed. The attacks were almost immediately blamed on al Qaeda.
Syrian opposition activists have cast doubt on the official explanation, saying that the bombings may have been orchestrated by the government to discredit Syria's protesters during a visit by an observer delegation from the Arab League. Syria has little history of al Qaeda activity.
According to the United Nations, more than 5,000 civilians have been killed since the beginning of Syria's uprising. This week saw a sharp escalation in violence as military defectors battled security forces.