February 2016 Homs bombings

February 2016 Homs massacre
Part of Syrian Civil War
Location	Al-Zahra neighbourhood, Homs, Syria
Date	21 February 2016 +3 (EEST)
Target	Alawite civilians heading to work
Attack type	Mass murder
Weapons	Car bombs
Deaths	64 [1]
Injured	100+
Perpetrators	Islamic State
Motive	Sectarian

On 21 February 2016, two car bombs struck exploded in the predominantly Alawite neighborhood of al-Zahra in Homs, Syria. ^[2] The bombings killed at least 57 people and injured more than 100 others. ^[3] At least 60 surrounding buildings and dozens of cars were destroyed in the blasts. ^[4]

Bombings

The bombings occurred during the Sunday morning rush hour on the Sixtieth Street. The initial death toll was 34, but rose due to the number of people critically injured. ^[5] According to a Syrian government television channel, they targeted students and government employees going to work. Dozens of vehicles were destroyed and a number of nearby buildings were damaged. It aimed supporters of the government at a time when it was making significant military gains. ^[6]

The bombings occurred on the same day as bombings in the Damascus suburb of Sayyidah Zaynab that killed at least 30. ^[7] Both the attacks in Homs and Damascus were claimed by the Islamic State. ^{[3] [8]}

Bombings in Homs in January 2016 had killed 22 people. ^[9]

See also

• February 2016 Sayyidah Zaynab bombings

References

1. Nearly 200 people killed in six explosions at Sayeda Zeinab and Zahraa, SOHR, 23 February 2016.
2. "Provisional agreement reached on Syrian ceasefire, car bombs kill 46 in city of Homs". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved 21 February 2016.
3. "Twin bombings claimed by Islamic State kill dozens in Syria's Homs". Reuters. 21 February 2016. Retrieved 21 February 2016.
4. ISIL car bomb attacks kill 129 in Damascus and Homs, Al Jazeera, 21 February 2016
5. Dagher, Sam (21 February 2016). "Dozens Killed in Double Car Bombing in Syrian City of Homs". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 21 February 2016.
6. "Syria: Dozens killed as bombers strike in Homs and Damascus, regime says". CNN. 21 February 2016. Retrieved 21 February 2016.
7. "Syria conflict: Blasts in Homs and Damascus 'kill dozens'". BBC News. 21 February 2016. Retrieved 21 February 2016.
8. More Than 140 Killed by ISIS Bombings in Damascus, Homs in Syria, Haaretz, 21 February 2016
9. "Bombings kill at least 87 in Syria as Kerry pushes ceasefire". Times Live. Retrieved 21 February 2016.