Homs attack was attempt to derail Syria peace talks, UN says

UNSyria envoy Staffan de Misturaconsiders a "horrific terrorist attack" in the Syrian city of Homs on Saturday an attempt to derail the peace talks taking place in Geneva, his office said in an emailed statement.

"Spoilers were always expected, and should continue to be expected, to try to influence the proceedings of the talks. It is in the interest of all parties who are against terrorism and are committed to a political process in Syria not to allow these attempts to succeed," the statement said.

Suicide bombers stormed twoSyrian security offices in Homs on Saturday, killing dozens withgunfire and explosions, including a senior officer, and promptingairstrikes against the last rebel-held enclave in the westerncity.

The jihadist rebel alliance Tahrir al-Sham said in a socialmedia post that five suicide bombers had carried out the attack,which it celebrated with the words "thanks be to God,"butstopped short of explicitly claiming responsibility.

Although the government of President Bashar al-Assad hascontrolled most of Homs since 2014, rebels still control itsal-Waer district, which warplanes bombed on Saturday, said theSyrian Observatory for Human Rights, wounding 50.

The attack comes as government and opposition delegationsjoin peace talks in Geneva sponsored by the United Nations.Tahrir al-Sham opposes the talks and has fought with factionsthat are represented there.

Saturday's jihadist assault in Homs began with clashes neara branch of military security in al-Mohata district and a branchof state security in al-Ghouta district before suicide bombersstruck in both locations, state media reported.

The head of military security, Gen.Hassan Daaboul, waskilled along with 29 others in al-Mohata, while another 12people were killed in al-Ghouta, the Observatory said. Statemedia gave a lower figure of 32 people killed.

"Five suicide bombers attacked two branches of statesecurity and military security in Homs... thanks be to God,"Tahrir al-Sham said in a statement on the Telegram socialnetwork.

• Thousandshangedin Syrian prison

Tahrir al-Sham was formed earlier this year from severalgroups including Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, which was formerly knownas the Nusra Front and was al Qaeda's Syrian branch until itbroke formal allegiance to the global jihadist movement in 2016.

Since it was formed, Tahrir al-Sham has fought other rebelgroups, including some that fight under the banner of the FreeSyrian Army, as well as a faction linked to Islamic State, innorthwest Syria. It was critical of FSA groups for taking partin peace talks.