16 killed, dozens injured in Syria car bomb blast

At least 16 people have been killed and over a dozen wounded in a massive car bomb explosion in Syria’s central Hama Province, local media said.

The blast took place on Thursday near a school at al-Kafat village, the Syrian television said, adding that it caused extensive damage.

The Hama police command said there were women and children among the casualties.

Meanwhile, the UK-based so-called Observatory for Human Rights said that 18 people died in the incident.

Reports added that there were government forces among the casualties, and that those killed came from different sects, including Sunni Muslims, as well as Ismailis and Alawites.

Syria has been gripped by deadly unrest since 2011. According to reports, Western powers and their regional allies – especially Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey – are supporting the militants operating inside the country.

According to the United Nations, more than 100,000 people have been killed and millions displaced due to the turmoil that has gripped Syria for almost three years.