19-04-2024 06:09 PM Jerusalem Timing

Syria Blames Qaeda for Hama Attack

Syria Blames Qaeda for Hama Attack

Syria government accused the extremist movement Al-Qaeda of being behind a deadly attack in Hama and criticized Turkey for sheltering what it called "terrorists."

Syria: Terrorist attacks on Aleppo UniversitySyria government accused the extremist movement Al-Qaeda of being behind a deadly attack in Hama and criticized Turkey for sheltering what it called "terrorists," in a message to the UN aired by state television Tuesday.

"Armed terrorist groups headed by Al-Qaeda targeted citizens yesterday in the town of Salmiyeh in a cowardly terrorist act and destroyed the national hospital," the foreign ministry said in a letter to the UN secretary general and head of the Security Council.

The UK-bases Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 42 people were killed Monday when a suicide car bomb struck a building used by paramilitary forces in Salmiyeh, in the central province of Hama.

"Terrorists are arriving in Syria via neighboring countries, including Turkey, which opens its doors unconditionally to all terrorists of the world to penetrate Syria," the letter read.

"Damascus once again calls on the UN Security Council to condemn these terrorist acts committed on our soil, and calls for countries that are opposed to reconsider their positions, which do not serve world security and peace."

The Arab state has been suffering of violent attacks since March 2011, which have left more than 60,000 people dead according to the UN statistics, the majority are civilians.