Relatives and officials gathered in the central Syrian city of Homs on Friday morning for the first funerals of dozens of people killed in a drone attack on a military academy.
On Thursday, right after a ceremony celebrating officers, there was an attack from the air. It hurt not only soldiers but also their families. The news from the government on Friday morning said 89 people died, including 31 women and five kids. Another 277 people got hurt. An AFP reporter mentioned that many sad family members gathered at the Homs military hospital early in the morning. There was a lady in a black dress with white flowers who was very sad about losing her son.
“Do not go, my beloved,” she cried.
“This sleep does not befit you.”
A group in Britain that watches over human rights, called the Syrian Observatory, said that the number of people who passed away was even higher. They said 123 people didn’t make it, and out of them, 54 were regular people, including 39 women and children. They also mentioned that at least 150 others were hurt.
The Defense Minister, Ali Mahmoud Abbas, was there for the first ceremonies for about 30 people, including both soldiers and regular folks.
Even though nobody has said they did it, the Syrian army said that on Thursday, “armed terrorist organizations” were behind the attack. They said it was done using drones filled with explosives, and they promised to hit back really hard.
Videos on social media show a lot of fear and confusion at the academy. Some people fell down, and others begged for help.
In a part of Syria called Idlib, which is controlled by rebels, the government’s forces launched a big attack, which seems like it was payback. The Observatory said that 15 normal people were killed, which is more than they first thought.
In big parts of Idlib province and areas near Aleppo, Hama, and Latakia provinces, there’s a group called Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. They used to be connected with Al-Qaeda.
This group of extremists has used drones to attack places held by the government before.
The leader of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, is very worried about the drone attack and the strong response that followed, according to his spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric.
Starting from Friday, the government has said there will be three days of sadness to remember the people who passed away.
SOURCE:FRANCE24