Explosion targets Syria's Palace of Justice compound

In this picture taken on Tuesday, June 26, 2012, a Syrian rebel, left, fires by his AK-47 machine gun against a helicopter during a clashes with the Syrian forces troops, at Saraqeb town, in the northern province of Idlib, Syria. (AP Photo/Fadi Zaidan)

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The Associated Press
Published Thursday, June 28, 2012 7:08AM EDT
Last Updated Thursday, June 28, 2012 7:24AM EDT

DAMASCUS, Syria -- A strong explosion rocked the Syrian capital Thursday, sending black smoke billowing into the sky.

The state TV said the explosion was in the parking lot of the Palace of Justice, a compound that houses several courts. The nature of Thursday's blast was not immediately clear.

Syria has been hit by a wave of massive explosions in recent months, killing dozens of people. Most of the explosions targeted the security agencies of President Bashar Assad, who is fighting to end a 15-month-old uprising against his rule.

Last month, an explosion targeted a military intelligence compound south of Damascus killing 55 people. It was Syria's deadliest blast.

Much of the violence that has gripped Syria since the uprising began has been sanctioned by the government to crush dissent. But rebel fighters are launching increasingly deadly attacks on regime targets, and several massive suicide attacks this year suggest al-Qaida or other extremists are joining the fray.