3 UPDATEs BELOWSourceA huge explosion blasted a fireball hundreds of metres into the air in the Syrian city of Homs, a video posted on the Internet showed. Activists claimed the explosion, which appeared to be significantly larger than most bombs used daily by either side in the two-year-old Syrian conflict, ripped through the southeastern neighbourhood of al-Nozha. Can anyone tell us what is being said?Has anyone seen any other news? 1st update: CBC- Rocket attacks, explosions kill at least 40 in SyriaLooks as if the NATO backed mercs launched multiple rocket attacks.Which explains the camera man being in position to get the explosion in such a timely fashion.
Rocket attacks struck government-held districts in the central Syrian city of Homs on Thursday, setting off successive explosions in a weapons depot that killed at least 40 people and wounded dozens, an opposition group and residents said.The blasts sent a massive ball of fire into the sky, causing widespread damage and panic among residents, many of whom are supporters of President Bashar al-Assad.One resident said the explosions were so strong they cracked the walls of some buildings. Thick smoke and dust could be seen from a distance as explosions shook the ground.A video posted online by activists showed a huge ball of fire over Homs.The explosions in Homs reflected the see-saw nature of the conflict. It showed that despite significant advances by Syria's military, (Assad's military, is NATO media spin) rebels could still strike back.An official at the governor's office in Homs said about 10 rockets slammed into the neighbourhood of Zahra and the nearby sports stadium, sparking a large fire and causing several casualties.The official spoke on condition of anonymity in line with government regulations. He did not give a casualty figure.The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which closely monitors the fighting in Syria, said 40 people were killed and 120 wounded — some critically — when rockets struck an arms depot, igniting the fire.
TY anonymous commenter( wish you had a moniker) This is extremely curious news2nd update : United States to Close Embassies Sunday Over Security FearsWhy Sunday August 4/201301234?
WASHINGTON, District of Columbia, Aug 01, 2013 (AFP) — The United States said it would close an unspecified number of embassies around the world on Sunday over security concerns. State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf on Thursday called the step “precautionary” but declined to specify the threat or list which missions would be closed. “The Department of State has instructed certain US embassies and consulates to remain closed or to suspend operations on Sunday, August 4,” Harf told reporters. Harf said that the embassies would be closed specifically on Sunday, with an assessment afterwards on whether to reopen them.
I find that news disconcerting.3rd Update: SANA is reporting on and therefore Syria is acknowledging that some sort of an attack happened in Homs. They are claiming a smaller amount of casualties then the scores reported by some media outletsThe piece is light on details Aug 01, 2013 Homs, (SANA)-An official source in Homs on Thursday denied media reports on the killing of scores of citizens by terrorists' gunfire and shells at the city's southern entrance. "Those reports broadcast by channels, which are partners in the Syrian bloodshed, are categorically untrue and aim at raising the morale of the armed terrorist groups after the big losses they inflicted in many regions of Homs, particularly in al-Khaldiye," the source said in a statement to SANA. The source added that this coward act will not affect the army courageous soldiers, but it will increase their determination to rescue Syria from the dirtiness of terrorists. It said that the terrorist act against the southern entrance of Homs caused the injury of tens of citizens who were admitted to hospitals, four of them were later martyred. PS: Don't miss the earlier post "Syrian" Fighters (?) Tell Northern Caucasus Muslims "Wage Jihad at Home"