Syria Drone Attack / Rebel group strikes military academy in Syria, more than 100 killed

Syria Drone Attack: A rebel group carried out an air strike during a passing out parade ceremony of the army in the central city of Homs in Syria on Thursday. More than 100 people were killed and more than 240 people were injured in this drone attack. This was one of the deadliest attacks on the Syrian army in recent years. Conflict has been going on in Syria for the last 13 years. Dr. Musalem al-Atassi, the city's health director, said the attacks affected the celebrations in Homs as they were nearing their end. He said that the casualties included both civilians and military personnel.

No organization took responsibility for the attack

Al-Atassi said that many of the injured were in serious condition and were being treated in several hospitals in Homs, Syria's third largest city. The Syrian army earlier said in a statement that drones equipped with explosives targeted young officers and their families. Without naming any particular group, he blamed rebels 'supported by known international forces' for the attack. However, no organization has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.

Declaration of three days mourning

The army did not release casualties, but Syrian state television said the government had declared three days of mourning starting Friday. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition war monitor, and the pro-government Sham FM radio station were the first to report the attacks.

Will respond to terrorist organizations with full force

The Syrian Army said that it will respond to these terrorist organizations with full force and decisiveness, no matter where they are present. The Syrian crisis began in March 2011 with peaceful protests against the government of President Bashar Assad, but it soon turned into civil war following a brutal government crackdown on protesters. Following the drone strike, Syrian government forces shelled villages in rebel-held northwestern Idlib province. There is no immediate news of any casualty there.