Several soldiers killed in explosion near Syrian capital

DAMASCUS, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- Several soldiers were killed in an explosion targeting a military bus transporting soldiers in the countryside here early on Thursday, local media Sham FM has reported.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitor, said that 17 soldiers were killed in the explosion, adding that the death toll would likely rise due to the number of critically wounded soldiers.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility.