Damascus, October 6: A devastating drone attack on a military academy in Syria’s Homs province during a cadet graduation ceremony has resulted in at least 100 people losing their lives, according to state media reports.
Syria’s state-run SANA news agency, citing a statement from the General Command of the Armed Forces, stated that several explosive-laden drones targeted the academy shortly after the ceremony concluded on Thursday afternoon. The armed forces condemned the act as an unprecedented criminal act and pledged to respond with full force to these terrorist groups.
Health Minister Hassan al-Gabbash, as quoted by SANA, reported that the attack had injured over 200 people, including six women and six children. Among the victims were also cadets’ families.
No individual or group has claimed responsibility for the attack as of now.
The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) revealed that the country’s Defence Minister had attended the ceremony but left just minutes before the attack.
UN special envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen described the attack as “horrific” and urged all parties involved in the longstanding conflict to exercise restraint. He emphasized the need for respecting international law and ensuring the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure.
The civil war in Syria, which erupted in 2011 after President Bashar al-Assad’s violent crackdown on peaceful pro-democracy demonstrations, has claimed the lives of over half a million people. The conflict has resulted in over 6.8 million people being internally displaced, while another 6 million have become refugees or asylum-seekers abroad.
