Suicide Bomber in Syria Kills Security Officer in New Year’s Eve Attack
The New York Times••general
Key Points:
- New Year’s Eve celebrations in Aleppo, Syria, were violently disrupted when a man wearing an explosive belt detonated it at a checkpoint, killing one officer and injuring two others.
- The attacker, not yet identified, is believed by Syrian Interior Ministry officials to have possible ideological or organizational links to the Islamic State group and was attempting to infiltrate a Christian area in Aleppo.
- Authorities suspect the bomber may have been targeting the nearby Church of the Forty Martyrs, although no concrete evidence has been provided to confirm his motive or affiliation.
- The attack occurred despite heightened security measures across Syria, implemented following recent violent incidents including a mosque bombing in Homs last week.
- Syrian security forces had increased their presence around churches
