Explosions in Damascus

Two explosive devices detonated in Syria's capital, Damascus, earlier today. Syrian state media has stated that 14 people were killed and 31 wounded in the blasts, which struck in the historic al-Marjeh Square. The square is also the location of a number of government buildings, including the Interior Ministry. The attack coincides with major Syrian regime gains in the civil war against the rebel bands. The regime and its ally, Hezbollah, have recently made major gains in the country having repulsed a rebel offensive in the capital and capturing Quseyr, a critical town located along the government's major supply route between the Mediterranean and Damascus. Such attacks are not unusual and urban terrorism has increasingly affected Syria's major cities since 2011. There is a possibility, however, that these attacks may increase in frequency as the rebels become increasingly desperate to reverse battlefield losses. The utility of any escalation is limited given the strength of the government; however, any increase in attacks will undermine popular confidence in the government's ability to defeat the rebellion, a confidence which has spiked considerably in response to the regime's recent battlefield successes.

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