Attack Kills 89 People, Syria Mourns for Three Days

The attack on the Homs Military Academy compound was one of the deadliest single attacks on a Syrian military target since the country's civil war began in 2011.

The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI. The original article can be found in Serangan Tewaskan 89 Orang, Suriah Berkabung Tiga Hari

AFP/LOUAI BESHARA

The family of the victims wept and mourned outside a hospital in Homs, Syria on Friday (6/10/2023), during the funeral of those killed in a drone attack at a military academy the previous day.

HOMS, FRIDAY - The Syrian government has declared a three-day national mourning period, marked by the lowering of the flag to half-mast, since Friday (10/6/2023). Syria mourns following a drone attack that killed at least 89 people at the Homs Military Academy on Thursday (10/5/2023). Today, families of the victims began to bury their loved ones who were killed in the incident.

This attack is one of the deadliest single attacks targeting the Syrian military since the civil war broke out in the country in 2011. No one has claimed responsibility for the attack. Syrian government media accuses terrorist groups of being behind the incident.

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The Ministry of Health in Syria stated that the death toll in this incident reached 89 people, including 31 women and 5 children. Additionally, 277 people were injured.

The Syrian Human Rights Monitoring Organization (SOHR) has recorded the death of 123 people, including 54 civilians, of which 39 were women and children. Meanwhile, the number of injured, according to the institution based in London, England, is 150 people.

The attack with an unmanned aircraft targeted a group of people at the military academy graduation ceremony in Homs. The event was attended by Syrian Defense Minister Ali Mahmoud Abbas. He escaped the attack as he had left the event location a few minutes before the attack.

AFP/LOUAI BESHARA

The Syrian army carried a coffin of the victims outside the hospital in Homs, Syria, on Friday (6/10/2023), for the funeral of the victims of an unmanned aircraft attack at a military academy the day before.

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"My mother came to celebrate with me, as if she was attending my wedding ceremony," said Yasser Mohamed, a graduate of the academy who survived the attack. Unfortunately, his mother also became a victim.

"We were enjoying ourselves, taking pictures, and suddenly... the day turned difficult and this great tragedy occurred," said Mohamed.

Damascus Accusation

Through a written statement on Thursday, the Syrian military accused resistance groups "supported by known international powers". Damascus affirmed that it "will respond swiftly and with full force against these terrorist organizations, wherever they may be".

The news page of Al Jazeera reported that in the opposition-controlled northern areas of Syria, such as Idlib and Aleppo, the Syrian Government forces launched a counter-attack with artillery and rocket bombardments.

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Worried about retaliation from government forces, religious authorities in opposition-controlled areas in northern Syria have called on their followers not to hold Friday prayers in mosques. They are urging people to pray at home "for the safety of Muslims."

AFP/LOUAI BESHARA

The family of the victim mourns beside the victim's coffin outside a hospital in Homs, Syria, on Friday (6/10/2023) during the burial of the victims of a drone airstrike on a military academy the day before.

UN Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, stated that the bombing in the city of Homs left a horrifying sight. He warned that the current situation could deteriorate.

He expressed profound condolences for the loss of many lives on both sides of the conflicting parties. "I hope all parties will exercise restraint. The horrific events today require us to immediately alleviate tension and push for a ceasefire throughout Syria. Cooperation from all parties is necessary to combat the terrorist groups listed by the UN Security Council," said Pedersen.

He also reminded that all parties in Syria must respect international law and ensure the safety of civilians and public facilities.

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On The Hour page, Syrian Parliament member Bassam Mohammed stated that attacking places filled with civilians is a terrorist action.

The conflict in Syria has claimed the lives of half a million people since 2011. The attack on the Homs Military Academy is expected to ignite another wave of violence in the opposition-controlled northeast region of Syria. The area has been relatively peaceful since Russia and Turkey, two countries supporting opposing sides, agreed to a ceasefire in March 2020. (AP/AFP/REUTERS/SAM)