February 2016 Homs bombings
{{Short description|Terrorist incident in Syria in 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2016}}
{{Infobox civilian attack
|title = February 2016 Homs massacre
|partof = Syrian Civil War
|image =
|caption =
|location = Al-Zahra neighbourhood, Homs, Syria
|target = Alawite civilians heading to work
|coordinates =
|date = 21 February 2016
|time = +3
|timezone = EEST
|type = Mass murder
|fatalities = 64[http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=44405 Nearly 200 people killed in six explosions at Sayeda Zeinab and Zahraa], SOHR, 23 February 2016.
|injuries = 100+
|perps = {{flag|Islamic State}}
|numparts =
|susperps =
|weapons = Car bombs
|motive = Sectarian
}}
{{Campaignbox Syrian Civil War}}
On 21 February 2016, two car bombs struck exploded in the predominantly Alawite neighborhood of al-Zahra in Homs, Syria.{{cite web|title=Provisional agreement reached on Syrian ceasefire, car bombs kill 46 in city of Homs|url=https://montrealgazette.com/news/world/provisional-agreement-reached-on-syrian-ceasefire-car-bombs-kill-46-in-city-of-homs|newspaper=Montreal Gazette|access-date=21 February 2016}} The bombings killed at least 57 people and injured more than 100 others.{{cite news|title=Twin bombings claimed by Islamic State kill dozens in Syria's Homs| date=21 February 2016 |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-homs-idUSKCN0VU08C?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews|work=Reuters|access-date=21 February 2016}} At least 60 surrounding buildings and dozens of cars were destroyed in the blasts.[http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/02/attacks-kill-scores-syria-damascus-homs-160221152344662.html ISIL car bomb attacks kill 129 in Damascus and Homs], Al Jazeera, 21 February 2016
Bombings
The bombings occurred during the Sunday morning rush hour on the Sixtieth Street. The initial death toll was 34, but rose due to the number of people critically injured.{{cite web|title=Dozens Killed in Double Car Bombing in Syrian City of Homs|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/dozens-killed-in-double-car-bombing-in-syrian-city-of-homs-1456055204|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|access-date=21 February 2016}} According to a Syrian government television channel, they targeted students and government employees going to work. Dozens of vehicles were destroyed and a number of nearby buildings were damaged. It aimed supporters of the government at a time when it was making significant military gains.{{cite web|title=Syria: Dozens killed as bombers strike in Homs and Damascus, regime says|date=21 February 2016 |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2016/02/21/middleeast/syria-civil-war/|publisher=CNN|access-date=21 February 2016}}
The bombings occurred on the same day as bombings in the Damascus suburb of Sayyidah Zaynab that killed at least 30.{{cite news|title=Syria conflict: Blasts in Homs and Damascus 'kill dozens'|work=BBC News |date=21 February 2016 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-35624654|access-date=21 February 2016}} Both the attacks in Homs and Damascus were claimed by the Islamic State.[http://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/1.704572 More Than 140 Killed by ISIS Bombings in Damascus, Homs in Syria], Haaretz, 21 February 2016
Bombings in Homs in January 2016 had killed 22 people.{{cite web|title=Bombings kill at least 87 in Syria as Kerry pushes ceasefire|url=http://www.timeslive.co.za/world/2016/02/21/Bombings-kill-at-least-87-in-Syria-as-Kerry-pushes-ceasefire|publisher=Times Live|access-date=21 February 2016}}
See also
References
{{reflist}}
{{Terrorist attacks in Syria}}
{{Syrian Civil War}}
{{Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Homs bombing}}
Category:Homs in the Syrian civil war
Category:Persecution of Alawites
Category:Terrorist incidents in Syria in 2016
Category:ISIL terrorist incidents in Syria
Category:Islamic terrorist incidents in 2016
Category:Massacres of the Syrian civil war perpetrated by ISIL
Category:February 2016 crimes in Asia