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               45 Killed in Twin Bombings Against Kurds in Syria

   by VOA News

   Monitoring groups say the death toll from twin attacks Friday on
   Kurdish new year celebrations in Syria has risen to at least 45.

   A suicide bomber and a car bomb struck as members of Syria's Kurdish
   minority took part in festivities on the eve of Nowruz in the
   northeastern city of Hasakah. More than 120 people were wounded.

   The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has blamed the
   two attacks on the Islamic State militant group, although no one has
   claimed responsibility.

   U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the bombings. He said the
   "heinous attacks" took place during a holiday that is customarily a
   time for Kurdish communities to come together to share their hopes for
   the new year.

   Ban also responded to reports linking Islamic State to the attacks.

   "The terrorist organization's despicable agenda includes efforts to
   incite sectarian and ethnic division among Syria's diverse
   communities," he said. "It must not be allowed to succeed."

   Syria's state-run news agency said the attacks were carried out by
   "terrorists" - its word for rebels fighting to overthrow President
   Bashar al-Assad.

   The commander of Kurdish security forces in Syria said Friday's
   bombings "will not pass without retribution."
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   ainst-kurds-in-syria/2689571.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/forty-five-killed-in-twin-bombings-against-kurds-in-syria/2689571.html