Syria: Car bomb explodes in Alawite-majority suburb of Damascus

A car bomb exploded in the Mazzeh 86 suburb of Damascus on Wednesday without causing casualties, The New Arab's affiliate Syria TV reported.

Security forces quickly sealed off the area. Brigadier General Osama Mohammad Khair Atkeh, head of Internal Security in Damascus Governorate, said the blast was caused by an explosive device targeting a security officer.

"Our units responded immediately, cordoning off and fully securing the site. No casualties were recorded," he said.

Atkeh added that authorities have launched an urgent investigation to determine who was behind the "terrorist act".

The Mazzeh 86 suburb is an upscale, predominantly Alawite area of Damascus where many former officials from the deposed Assad regime live.

Last March, elements loyal to the Assad regime launched an uprising on the Syrian coast, killing hundreds of Syrian security officers.

Government forces and pro-government militia responded violently, killing hundreds of Alawite civilians according to Syrian and international human rights groups.

Syria TV’s correspondent said that the device appeared to have been a directed explosive, planted in a car parked on a side street in the neighbourhood.

The Interior Ministry later released images showing a heavy security presence at the scene as internal security forces worked to secure the area and begin investigations to identify those responsible.