HOMS (AFP) – Relatives and officials gathered in the central Syrian city of Homs yesterday for the first funerals of dozens of people killed in a drone attack on a military academy.
Thursday’s aerial assault came just after the end of a graduation ceremony for officers, and wounded both military personnel and their families.
State media said yesterday 89 people had been killed, including 31 women and five children, with 277 other people wounded.
An AFP correspondent said dozens of distraught victims’ relatives had gathered outside the Homs military hospital since the early morning.
Defence Minister Ali Mahmoud Abbas attended the first funerals for some 30 people, including both military and civilians.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but the Syrian army on Thursday accused “armed terrorist organisations” of the attack that was carried out by “explosive-laden drones”, vowing to “respond with full force”.
Videos circulating on social media have showed panic and chaos at the academy, with people falling to the ground and others pleading for help.
The government has declared three days of mourning starting yesterday.
