19/02/2014 18:50
Twin suicide car bombings kill eight in Beirut
Twin suicide car bombings targeting the Iranian Cultural Center in a busy Beirut suburb Wednesday killed at least eight people, including the bombers, and wounded 128 others, The Daily Star reported, citing a security source.
The Al-Qaeda-linked Abdullah Azzam Brigades claimed responsibility for the deadly explosions, describing the attacks as a "raid" against the center in retaliation to Hezbollah and Tehran's role in the Syrian war.
The same group also claimed the Nov. 19 twin suicide attack outside the Iranian Embassy that killed dozens, including an Iranian diplomat.
The blasts, which occurred at 9:25 a.m. during rush hour, are the second attack in less than four months targeting Iranian interests in Bir Hasan. The commercial and residential neighborhood is home to the Iranian and Kuwaiti embassies and several television stations.
Ambulances and Civil Defense trucks rushed to the scene of the explosion which was powerful enough to be felt several kilometers away.
The twin attack killed eight people, including a soldier and the two suicide bombers, the source told The Daily Star, adding that several wounded were in critical condition.