Live Updates: Suspected Islamic State Bombing Kills at Least 14

By Ewan Quayle

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At least 14 people have been killed and several injured in a bomb blast that targeted a military bus driving through the Syrian capital on Wednesday morning.

The attack - the deadliest in Damascus for years - is believed to have been carried out by the Islamic State terror group but nobody has yet officially claimed responsibility. It follows a recent spate of attacks on government troops fighting to maintain control after President Bashar al-Assad's forces retook the vast majority of the areas from various terror groups.

Syrian state TV showed footage of the charred bus and images showed smoke from the soldiers hosing down the destroyed vehicle. An investigation into how the attack happened and who is responsible is ongoing.

Follow Newsweek's liveblog for all the latest updates...

Oct 20, 2021 at 08:58 AM EDT

Four children caught in Ariha shelling

It has now been confirmed that four children have died after shelling by Syrian government forces in Ariha city.

The total death toll now stands at 13.

Oct 20, 2021 at 08:53 AM EDT

Ariha death toll increases to 12

A dozen civilians have now been killed by shelling in rebel-held Ariha city in Idlib province - previously the most devasted area by conflict in the Syrian civil war over the past decade.

Oct 20, 2021 at 08:40 AM EDT

[GRAPHIC] Pictures show aftermath of hospital care for shelling victims

Critically injured civilians who were caught up in shelling by Syrian government forces were sent to hospitals across Ariha city.

Photographers captured the aftermath of the chaotic scenes, which shows a pool of blood on the waiting room floor.

Oct 20, 2021 at 08:24 AM EDT

At least 11 civilians killed after shelling by Syrian government forces

The death toll is expected to climb after government troops bombarded the rebel-held Ariha city, The New Arab reports.

The shelling from Syrian regime army outposts, which followed shortly after the blast in Damascus, hit several residential areas in the city, where jihadist-led rebels are in control.

Oct 20, 2021 at 07:16 AM EDT

UNICEF ‘not able to confirm if children were among those affected’ in blast

The agency's regional director for the Middle East and North Africa said that the attack in Damascus this morning "is yet another reminder that the war in Syria has not come to an end".

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Oct 20, 2021 at 06:10 AM EDT

When was the last major attack on Damascus?

One of the last major explosions took place in 2017, when suicide bombers hit a judicial office building a restaurant, killing nearly 60 people.

The attacks were claimed by Islamic State group militants - the same group believed to be behind today's attack on Syria's military personnel.

The organization lost nearly all its territory in 2019 but continues to operate sleeper cells - mostly hiding in Syria's expansive desert.

Oct 20, 2021 at 05:58 AM EDT

Spotlight returns to Syrian conflict – with Russia firmly in vision

While the capital has come under attack from terrorists in the most serious incident for years, explosions and attacks from ISIS, government forces and outside interests continue.

According to emergency rescue charity The White Helmets, Russia "continues to bomb" towns and villages in the Northwest of the country.

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Oct 20, 2021 at 05:48 AM EDT

‘A cowardly act’: Damascus police commander condemns attackers

Major General Hussein Jumaa told state TV police force had cordoned off the area immediately and made sure there were no more bombs after multiple devices were found in the vicinity of the bus.

He urged people to inform police about any suspicious objects they spot.

Oct 20, 2021 at 05:44 AM EDT

Good morning and welcome to Newsweek’s liveblog

The investigation into the blast continues and the death toll is likely to rise throughout the day as the scale of the attack becomes clear.