A drone attack on the Syrian Military Academy in the western Syrian city of Homs has killed many people and injured many others.
The Syrian Ministry of Health announced on Friday that the number of “martyrs” in the terrorist attack on the graduation ceremony had risen to 89, including 31 women and five children.
In a statement on its official Telegram channel, the ministry announced the number of injured at 277.
According to Fars news agency, Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal al-Maqdad, in a telephone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdullahian, cited “US-backed terrorist organizations” as being behind the attack.
“The two foreign ministers emphasized the serious determination of the international community and the need for the cooperation of regional countries for a resolute and effective fight against the evil phenomenon of terrorism,” the statement said.
The Syrian military confirmed that several drones targeted a “graduation ceremony” attended by the families of cadets in Homs on Thursday.
“An armed terrorist group targeted the graduation ceremony and the attack was carried out by a ‘terrorist group,'” the report said.
Syrian state television said the government announced three days of mourning starting Friday.
The Syrian army said the attack was “unprecedented” and added that it was carried out by “a drone loaded with explosives.”
The military promised to “respond with full force and determination” and warned those who planned and carried out the attack “will pay a high price”.
“In addition to the many university students who attended the graduation ceremony, there were dozens of seriously injured soldiers among the invited families, including women and children,” the defense ministry said in a separate statement.
It also said a “terrorist organization supported by prominent international actors” carried out the attack.
No one has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.
In a statement today, the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs called for the UN Security Council’s condemnation of the terrorist act.
But a U.N. spokesperson said U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres was deeply concerned about drone attacks and retaliatory shelling by forces calling themselves pro-government forces.
“The Secretary-General strongly condemns all violence in Syria and calls on all parties to respect their obligations under international law,” Stephane Dujarric told reporters.
Observers said the attack began in an area northwest of Homs. It came a day after the Syrian army carried out a series of military operations against terrorist bases and weapons depots in the northwestern province of Idlib.
Dozens of terrorists were killed in the operation, including a prominent commander, the Syrian Ministry of Defense said.
