Twin explosions in Syrian capital kill 8

Syrian media reports say two explosions in the capital Damascus has killed eight people and wounded more than a dozen.

The neighbourhood of Hazeh, on the eastern outskirts of the Syrian capital Damascus. Source: Getty Images

Two suicide bomb attacks have struck close to the Syrian capital, killing at least eight people and wounding more than a dozen others, state TV and an opposition activist group says.

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the bombings through its Aamaq news agency, which said there were three attacks carried out by suicide bombers.

Aamaq said two IS attackers were wearing explosive belts while the third was in a car.

It was not immediately possible to explain the discrepancy between Aamaq's account and those of Syrian state media and activists, who reported only two explosions.

Syrian state TV said the blasts in the Sayyida Zeinab area just south of Damascus killed eight people and wounded 13 others.

The opposition Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 20 people were killed and dozens were wounded in the two explosions.

The Sayyida Zeinab suburb is home to a shrine by the same name, one of the most renowned in Shi'ite Islam.

The heavily guarded shrine to Sayyida Zeinab, the daughter of the first Shi'ite imam, Ali, and granddaughter of the Prophet Muhammad, receives thousands of Shi'ite pilgrims each year.

Syrian TV later aired footage from the blast site, showing several vehicles and shops on fire and at least two heavily damaged buildings, whose balconies, doors and windows had been destroyed. Blood stains could be seen on the debris-covered road. Fire engines rushed to the scene to extinguish fires caused by the explosions.

State news agency SANA said the first blast was caused by a suicide attacker wearing an explosives belt and took place at the entrance of Ziabiyeh district while the second explosion was the result of a suicide attacker in a car rigged with explosives in al-Teen street.

SANA quoted Prime Minister Wael al-Halqi as blaming Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar for being behind the "brutal massacres". The three countries are the main supporters of armed Syrian opposition groups trying to remove President Bashar al-Assad from power.