Arab TVs say Damascus blast targets Iranian pilgrims, unconfirmed casualties reported

Arab TVs: Damascus blast hits Iranian pilgrims

DAMASCUS, Syria — Arab satellite television stations say a blast has targeted a busload of Iranian pilgrims in a Damascus suburb and are reporting casualties.

The blast occurred Thursday in the Sayyida Zainab suburb of the city and television stations Al-Jazeera and Al-Arabiya report that an unconfirmed number of people may have been killed and injured. Iranian state-run Press TV reported that as many as 12 people may have been killed. There was no way to independently confirm the reports and there were no comments from Syrian officials.

The suburb is popular with Iranian pilgrims and is the location of a shrine dedicated to the granddaughter of the Prophet Muhammad.