Bomb attacks kill 12 in Syria's Damascus, Idlib

DAMASCUS / IDLIB, Syria (AA) - At least 12 people were killed Sunday when the Syrian regime targeted opposition-held towns in the provinces of Damascus and Idlib with vacuum bombs and explosive-laden waste containers, according to civil defense sources.

At least six civilians were killed, and dozens injured when the Syrian regime jets dropped vacuum bombs on a residential area in the town of Arbin in Eastern Ghouta, an opposition-held region east of the capital Damascus, a civil defense source told Anadolu Agency.

Three buildings were completely destroyed in the attack, and the locals were helping the civil defense teams in search-and-rescue efforts, the source said.

A separate attack carried out by Syrian army helicopters in the town of Ariha south of Idlib killed at least six others, another local civil defense source said.

Dozens were injured in the attack on a residential area with explosive-laden waste containers, the source said.

"Six buildings were destroyed in the attack, with dozens of others suffering major damage," he added.

Assad forces have reportedly been using explosive-filled waste containers lately instead of barrel bombs, since they are more effective and easier to make, according to local sources.

Three buildings were completely destroyed in the attack, and the locals were helping the civil defense teams in search-and-rescue efforts, the source said.

A separate attack carried out by Syrian army helicopters in the town of Ariha south of Idlib killed at least six others, another local civil defense source said.

Dozens were injured in the attack on a residential area with explosive-laden waste containers, the source said.

"Six buildings were destroyed in the attack, with dozens of others suffering major damage," he added.

Assad forces have reportedly been using explosive-filled waste containers lately instead of barrel bombs, since they are more effective and easier to make, according to local sources.