2012-02-11 17:02:39 GMT+7 (ICT)
ALEPPO, SYRIA (BNO NEWS) -- At least 28 people were killed on early Friday morning when two suicide bombers targeted two security facilities in Syria's second city of Aleppo, state-run media reported. More than 200 others were said to be injured.
According to the Ministry of Interior, the first attack happened at around 9 a.m. local time when a suicide bomber driving a white mini-bus broke through the security barrier at the entrance of a law enforcement building in the city's al-Arkoub area. He then blew himself up.
Minutes after the bast, another suicide bomber also driving a white mini-bus blew himself up while trying to break into the military security branch in the New Aleppo area of the city. The government blamed "armed terrorist groups" for the attacks, while state media showed graphic footage of human remains among the rubble of the buildings.
The Syrian Interior Ministry confirmed that 28 people, including both civilians and members of the security forces, were killed while 235 others were injured. The death toll could not be independently verified due to reporting restrictions imposed by the Syrian government.
It was not immediately known who was behind the attack as the government blamed terrorists while opposition groups accused the government of staging the attacks for propaganda purposes.
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the twin bomb blasts. "He extends his sympathy and condolences to the bereaved families of the victims as well as to the Government and people of Syria," his spokesman said. "The Secretary-General reiterates that all violence is unacceptable and must cease immediately from all sides."
Also on Friday, the United Nations said the UN General Assembly will meet on Monday to discuss the situation in Syria. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, will brief Member States on the latest developments after a request from General Assembly President Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser.
Last week, the UN Security Council voted on a draft resolution to end the situation in Syria, where thousands of people have been killed over the past 10 months in a government crackdown against a popular uprising. The resolution called for an immediate cessation of violence by all parties and progress towards national dialogue that leads to a peaceful political resolution of the crisis.
However, permanent members Russia and China vetoed the draft resolution, drawing worldwide condemnation.
According to the most recent figures released by the United Nations in January, at least 5,400 people have been killed as a result of violence during the uprising. Syrian human rights and opposition activists say the figure has since surpassed 7,000 and includes hundreds of children.
The Syrian government has repeatedly claimed that violent acts against protesters have been carried out by 'terrorists dressed as soldiers,' although international observers have rejected these claims. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad previously admitted that mistakes were made, but claimed protesters were no longer being targeted.

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