A car bomb exploded near a children's playground in Damascus Friday, and initial reports from Syria's capital indicate casualties were heavy.

Opposition activists and Syrian news agencies report the bomb went off in the Daf Shawk neighborhood. Further details were not immediately clear, although it appeared that a booby-trapped car exploded outside a mosque.

Friday marked the first day of a four-day cease-fire between government forces and rebels observing the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha. Despite the cease-fire, scattered violence has been reported in several areas of the country.

The opposition Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says battles between rebels and government forces continued in Idlib province past morning prayers Friday. The activists say at least nine security forces and four rebel fighters were killed in clashes at the Wadi al-Daif army base.

Activists also say three people were killed by tank fire and two more by sniper fire in the Damascus suburb of Harasta. And three people were reported wounded when security forces fired on protesters in Daraa province.

Observatory director Rami Abdel Rahman told VOA that despite the deaths, the cease-fire was offering some respite in the wider violence. He explained that although several people had been killed by midday in Syria, “normally by this time of day, we have 100 people killed.”

Assad appearance

Meanwhile, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was shown in a rare television appearance, mingling with worshippers attending Friday’s prayers to mark the start of the Muslim holiday.

The Syrian army said Thursday it would observe the cease-fire but would respond to any rebel attacks, particularly if “terrorist” groups try to reinforce their positions during the cease-fire. The army also warned neighboring countries against granting safe passage to rebel fighters.

A commander for the rebel Free Syrian Army said his fighters would honor the truce, but would respond to any attacks. Both sides have violated previous cease-fires after agreeing to them.

Regional tensions

As regional tensions simmer, Saudi Arabia moved to expel three employees of the Syrian consulate in Jeddah. A Saudi Foreign Ministry statement did not offer details, but said the three were told to leave the country for activities “incompatible” with their work.

The largely Sunni Muslim Saudi kingdom closed its embassy in Damascus in March, just weeks after expelling Syria’s ambassador.

Syria and its ally Shi’ite Muslim Iran have accused Saudi Arabia and other Sunni Muslim states of fueling Syria’s civil war by supporting rebels.

Source: VOA News