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Black smoke rises from Syria's army command headquarters in Damascus, Syria AP Photo/Syria 2011 Archives via AP video

Syria: Explosions rock army HQ in Damascus

Witnesses said the blasts set off hours of sporadic gunbattles and a raging fire inside the heavily guarded compound.

TWIN BLASTS TARGETING Syria’s army command headquarters rocked the capital today, setting off hours of sporadic gunbattles and a raging fire inside the heavily guarded compound, state-run media and witnesses said.

An army statement said no military commanders or personnel were hurt in the explosions, one of which was from a car bomb.

But Iranian Press TV said one of its correspondents, 33-year-old Maya Nasser, a Syrian national, died in an exchange of fire in the area following the blasts.

Rebels

Syria’s state-run news agency, SANA, said the explosions struck just before 7 am local time near the landmark Omayyad Square.

Rebels from the Free Syrian Army claimed responsibility for the bombings in a statement signed by the group’s military council, saying dozens were killed in the attack.

The army command building was in flames, sending huge columns of thick black smoke that hung over Damascus for several hours following the blasts.

The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which relies on a network of activists on the ground, said heavy clashes were taking place inside the compound of the army command, adding that there were casualties on both sides.

Car bomb

The army statement said the blasts were caused by a car bomb and an explosive device that went off near the army command buildings. It said “terrorists” in the area simultaneously opened fire randomly to terrorize people, adding that authorities were pursuing the gunmen. Syrian authorities regularly refer to rebels as terrorists.

The statement said a number of guards were wounded.

“I can confirm that all our comrades in the military command and defence ministry are fine,” Information Minister Omran Zoubi told Syrian TVl.

Everything is normal. There was a terrorist act, perhaps near a significant location, yes, this is true, but they failed as usual to achieve their goals.

On Tuesday, several bombs went off inside a Damascus school that activists said was being used by regime forces as a security headquarters. Several people were wounded.

General Assembly

Syria’s conflict was the focus of attention as world leaders gathered at the UN General Assembly’s annual meeting in New York this week.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon demanded international action to stop the war in Syria, telling a gathering of world leaders that the 18-month conflict had become “a regional calamity with global ramifications.”

Ban, declaring that the situation in Syria is getting worse every day, called the conflict a serious and growing threat to international peace and security that requires attention from the deeply divided UN Security Council.

That appears highly unlikely, however, at least in the near future.

Russia and China have vetoed three Western-backed resolutions aimed at pressuring Assad to end the violence and enter negotiations on a political transition.

In sharp contrast to the UN chief, President Barack Obama pledged US support for Syrians trying to oust Assad — “a dictator who massacres his own people.”

Read: Syria war rages on, UN chief warns of calamity>

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4 Comments
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    Mute John Joe Collins
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    Nov 5th 2015, 7:57 AM

    I wounder what do Facebook employees do to waste time at work?

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    Mute Cheryl Mellett
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    Nov 5th 2015, 12:35 PM

    A friend worked for Facebook in Dublin she brought me in for the grand tour. It’s amazing. The facilities are out of this world for staff. The restaurant is award winning serving 4 meals per day, they have games stations for xbox etc, a room top garden, a barrista which does all quirky kind of coffees. Relaxation rooms, plates studios, a room take your own 3D wooden signs, music room, even a crafts are for knitting etc. I wonder when they get time to work. They seem to really look after their staff really well. I came out wondering if they got much time to work. They even had a big candy cart full of all sorts of sugary treats. (Reply to John Joe)

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    Mute Karol Doran
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    Nov 5th 2015, 7:46 AM

    Oh no, the “I deleted Facebook and I love it” brigade won’t be happy about this.

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    Mute Chief
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    Nov 5th 2015, 7:53 AM

    But but but it’s the best thing they ever did.

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    Mute John S
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    Nov 5th 2015, 9:16 AM

    Agree Chief, I have real friends who I contact rather than 500 whose only interaction is through a website…..

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    Mute Mary Cullinane
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    Nov 5th 2015, 10:01 AM

    I left fb 8 months ago & it was the best decision ever. I have enough problems and drama in my own life without being subjected to that of all my fb “friends”. It was kind of taking over my life to be honest & I realised that was unfair to my family and the REAL friends I have. I do miss being in day to day contact with relatives abroad but with email & cheap phone calls that’s not such a big problem to be honest.

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    Mute Freebetcitydcom Mike
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    Nov 5th 2015, 10:49 AM

    U seem bitter at everyone else for ur own addiction karol.

    Aside from that these figures are fake id say from facebook, i know tones of people who hardly use it anymore.

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    Mute Karol Doran
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    Nov 5th 2015, 11:07 AM

    You’re my hero Mike. Do you want a medal?

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    Mute Allister
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    Nov 5th 2015, 7:48 AM

    Oooh… They have the Internet on computers now…!

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    Mute flint
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    Nov 5th 2015, 9:25 AM

    Well I’m not one of them thankfully

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    Mute Diarmuid
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    Nov 5th 2015, 10:31 AM

    And they’re tracking your every move…

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    Mute Decl@n Hanley
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    Nov 5th 2015, 8:03 AM

    1.5 billion! That’s a lot of stalkers in the world.

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    Mute Tony Murphy
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    Nov 5th 2015, 9:14 AM

    Tried to deactivate my account the other day. Physically impossible.

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    Mute Cian McGowan
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    Nov 5th 2015, 7:08 PM

    Log into your facebook.
    Click this link: https://www.facebook.com/settings?tab=security
    Then click “deactivate your account”.

    It’s not all that difficult in fairness.

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    Mute mcgoo
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    Nov 5th 2015, 9:34 AM

    The ould boastbook.

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    Mute JibberIrish
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    Nov 5th 2015, 8:09 AM

    Eventually we will all be singing for biscuits, I mean “likes, stars, hearts or whatever you get for your social media vice. “We are the Borg! You will be assimilated… Eventually!”

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    Mute john miller
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    Nov 5th 2015, 7:50 PM

    Facebook is a bit like Coke A Cola or McDonalds, popular because people are easily addictive to well advertised products.

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    Mute Ger Buckley
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    Nov 5th 2015, 7:57 AM

    Is this the new snapchat?

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    Mute saoirse janneau
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    Nov 5th 2015, 12:11 PM

    I browsed binoculars recently on GOOGLE. (Note the emphasis). What do i get the next day on facebook as a suggested post? Binoculars from Zeiss. Habicht no less!! . Have google and facebook got a thing going on!? We dont know the half of it. Orwellian prophecy.

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    Mute Janette Revitup Laffan
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    Nov 5th 2015, 12:41 PM

    Far as i know, when you have one site, such as Facebook, open, your data on the other sites, such as youtube and other searches can be accessed by them.

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