Twin bombings rock Syrian city

Damascus, Oct 3 (IANS) At least two persons were killed and 12 others injured in twin explosions near a main square in Syria's Hama province on Monday, media said.

Two bombers detonated their explosive belts in short succession near al-Assi Square, Xinhua news agency reported, adding that the target was a headquarters of the ruling al-Baath Party in the Square.

Battles were raging recently in the countryside of Hama, following a major rebel offensive aimed to distract Syrian military forces from their assault on the northern city of Aleppo.

The bombings on Monday are believed to be the first to hit the Hama area in the country's five-year-old conflict.

Hama is among the very few cities that have not witnessed much violence during the country's long-running civil war.