News
Explosion at Syrian TV Station as Prime Minister Defects
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August 7, 2012 The Fresh Outlook  |
Syrian state-run television reports a bomb explosion on the third floor of their broadcast centre in the capital of Damascus.
Three people were injured at the pro-government station Al-Ikhbariya, which continued to broadcast after the attack. Pictures of employees tending to a wounded colleague were shown on air.
Rebel forces had taken control of several areas of the city in recent weeks, but the army has since regained control.
This attack on state media follows several similar attacks on their buildings in more provincial areas, including Aleppo.
Government troops have surrounded the much disputed Aleppo in an attempt to regain their hold on the city. However, the rebels seem to be putting much more of an effort into consolidating their gains there than in Damascus. The Guardian’s Martin Chulov is expecting a “large imminent showdown” in which the rebels will “fight to the death”, as they understand that, this time, fleeing the city is not an option.
As government forces prepare to enter the city, state television reports that Syria’s prime minister has been sacked, amid rumours of his defection. After his recent appointment in June in a suspicious parliamentary election, a Jordanian source has confirmed to Reuters that Riyad Hijab has crossed the border.
By Lucy England
[Image courtesy of FreedomHouse]
