Two mortars exploded next to a football stadium in central Damascus on Wednesday, killing one player.
A 19-year-old striker, who played for Al Wathba of Homs, died from his injuries in hospital after the explosion struck outside the team’s hotel as the team were about to head to training at the near-by Tishrin stadium.
The mortar attack was the second in as many days in Damascus. On Tuesday, two mortars exploded near one of President Bashar al-Assad’s palaces, but no one was hurt.
Players from the al-Wathbah team who witnessed the attack identified the dead player as Youssef Suleiman. The 19-year-old striker had been a youth international. They said he was the father of a six-month-old baby.
Suleiman’s team-mates said the mortars landed in front of the hotel. “We were collecting our things about to head to the stadium when we heard the first explosion and the windows were blown off,” said Ali Ghosn, 20. “Youssef was hit in the neck. We ran out to the corridor when the second explosion struck and I saw Youssef fall down bleeding from his neck.”
Three other players were wounded, including one who was reported to be in critical condition.
The attack occurred a few hours before the team was to play a league game against the Hama-based al-Mawaair club. The game was postponed after the mortar strike.
