| February 2016 Homs massacre | |
|---|---|
| Part ofSyrian Civil War | |
 Interactive map of February 2016 Homs massacre | |
| Location | Al-Zahra neighbourhood,Homs,Syria |
| Date | 21 February 2016 +3 (EEST) |
| Target | Alawite civilians heading to work |
Attack type | Mass murder |
| Weapons | Car bombs |
| Deaths | 64[1] |
| Injured | 100+ |
| Perpetrators |  Islamic State |
| Motive | Sectarian |
On 21 February 2016, twocar bombs struck exploded in the predominantlyAlawite neighborhood of al-Zahra inHoms,Syria.[2] The bombings killed at least 57 people and injured more than 100 others.[3] At least 60 surrounding buildings and dozens of cars were destroyed in the blasts.[4]
The bombings occurred during the Sunday morning rush hour on the Sixtieth Street. The initial death toll was 34, but rose due to the number of people critically injured.[5] According to a Syrian government television channel, they targeted students and government employees going to work. Dozens of vehicles were destroyed and a number of nearby buildings were damaged. It aimed supporters of the government at a time when it was making significant military gains.[6]
The bombings occurred on the same day asbombings in the Damascus suburb of Sayyidah Zaynab that killed at least 30.[7] Both the attacks in Homs and Damascus were claimed by theIslamic State.[3][8]
Bombings in Homs in January 2016 had killed 22 people.[9]
