Syrian university bombed, at least 52 dead

Government officials and Syrian rebels are blaming one another for an explosion near the University of Aleppo

Published January 15, 2013 8:45PM (EST)

In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, Syrian people gather in front of a crater caused by an explosion hit a university in Aleppo, Syria.      (AP/SANA)
In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, Syrian people gather in front of a crater caused by an explosion hit a university in Aleppo, Syria. (AP/SANA)

This article originally appeared on GlobalPost.

Global Post
 Explosions at the University of Aleppo killed at least 52 people and wounded dozens on Tuesday, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, reported Reuters.

Syrian state television reported a "terrorist attack" near the university, which is government-run. It was the first day of exams, the state news agency reported.

Rebel activists, meanwhile, reported the explosions were caused by government forces, according to Al Jazeera.

The British-based human rights group posted to Facebook page earlier Tuesday:

"Aleppo province: 15 civilians killed and dozens injured by 2 explosions that shook the area in between the University Residence and the Architecture Building in the southern part of the Aleppo University. The cause of these explosions is yet unknown."

Aleppo, Syria's second largest city has long been a battleground between President Bashar al Assad's government forces and factions of the Free Syrian Army.

The United Nations says about 60,000 people have been killed in the civil war since peaceful protests in March 2011 became violent.


By Daniel DeFraia

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