Explosions rock Damascus court complex

Source: BBC News 28 June 2012

Explosions have rocked the main court complex in the Syrian capital Damascus, injuring at least three people.

Witnesses in Damascus reported loud explosions and plumes of black smoke from the car park of the palace of justice – Syria’s highest court complex.

Pro-Syrian regime TV station staff killed in armed raid on studios

Source: The Guardian 27 June 2012

Gunmen raided the headquarters of a pro-government Syrian TV station early on Wednesday, killing seven employees, kidnapping others and demolishing buildings, officials said.

An Associated Press photographer who visited the al-Ikhbariya station’s compound said five portable buildings used for offices and studios had collapsed, with blood on the floor and wooden partitions still on fire. Some walls had bullet holes.

Al-Ikhbariya is privately owned but strongly supports President Bashar Assad’s regime. Pro-government journalists have been attacked on several previous occasions during the country’s 15-month uprising.

Commenting on the attacks, Ribal Al-Assad, Director of the ODFS, said:

“I condemn these terrorist attacks. The perpetrators must be brought to justice.

“The arms flow into Syria clearly increases the likelihood of such attacks and further militarisation of the conflict, which will only push the country towards an all out civil war. Therefore I call on all those supplying weapons to stop.

“I urge both sides in the Syrian conflict to halt the violence and give diplomacy a chance so we can move towards dialogue and a peaceful transition as that is the only way forward.”