Syria's state media reports explosion in largely pro-Assad Damascus suburb, casualties
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}In this image taken from video obtained from the Shaam News Network, which has been authenticated based on its contents and other AP reporting, smoke billows amid buildings at a bomb explosion in Daraya, a countryside of Damscus, Syria, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2013. Syrian warplanes bombed several rebel-held areas Tuesday and opposition fighters fired mortar rounds and homemade rockets at Damascus on the first day of a major Muslim holiday, activists said. (AP Photo/Shaam News Network via AP Video) (The Associated Press)
Syria's state-run news agency says an explosion has occurred in a suburb of the capital Damascus, causing casualties.
SANA says Saturday's blast in Jaramana killed and wounded a number of people.
Rebels have previously targeted Jaramana, a Christian and Druse area mostly loyal to President Bashar Assad, with bombings and mortar rounds.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Assad has drawn support from Syria's ethnic and religious minorities, including Christians and members of his Alawite sect, an offshoot of Shiite Islam. The rebel movement is dominated by Sunni Muslims, who are a majority in Syria.
At least 100,000 Syrians have been killed in the country's civil war, now in its third year.