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Rockets Hit Russian Embassy In Syrian Capital

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Two rockets have hit the Russian Embassy in the Syrian capital as pro-government supporters gathered outside to thank Moscow for its intervention in Syria.

Reports said the first shell hit a building in the compound, sparking a panic. As people began to flee, another shell hit the area.

The Russian Embassy said there were no casualties among its staff.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called the attack an act of terrorism.

AFP says some 300 people were gathered outside the embassy in Damascus at the time of the attack.

Opposition fighters in the suburbs of the capital have targeted the embassy in the past, but it was not clear if the attack on October 13 targeted the rally.

The head of Syria's Al-Nusra Front, an offshoot of Al-Qaeda, urged retaliation on October 12 for what he said was the indiscriminate killing of Sunni Muslims by invading Russians.

Russia began launching air strikes against insurgents in Syria on September 30.

Based on reporting by AFP, Interfax, and AP

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