According to Israel Radio reports quoting foreign news agencies including Syrian-based media, “senior government officials” were among the 20 estimated dead in a Wednesday morning 28 Tammuz 5772 suicide bombing attack in Damascus.

A suicide bomber blew himself up in a national security building according to reports. Syrian media reports are confirming that country’s defense minister was among those killed.

Additional information will be reported as it becomes available.

13:33 IL: Syrian state-run television is confirming that the country’s defense minister, General Dawoud Rajiha was among those killed in the suicide bombing attack earlier today.

13:41 IL: It appears the bombing attack occurred while senior state officials were attending a meeting in the building. CNN is quoting “Syrian Observatory for Human Rights” as reporting it was a car bomb attack but Israel Radio; quoting “Syrian media” reports it was a suicide bomber. Israel Radio adds the country’s interior minister was seriously wounded in the attack.

14:00 IL: Israel Radio adds that the minister of the interior and deputy chief of staff were killed in the blast along with the nation’s defense minister.

Al-Jazeera reporting from Beirut: In addition to the nation’s defense minister, “other senior officials were killed”. It appears the reports regarding the deputy chief of staff and interior minister are unconfirmed at this time.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)