Suicide bombing in Syrian capital kills 45 people.

Two suicide bombings and a car bomb exploded in quick succession today in a southern district of the Syrian capital Damascus, killing at least 45 people and injuring 110.

The self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility for the incident. (Illustrative image: SANA)

The attackers detonated bombs in the Sayeda Zeinab district of Damascus, home to the holiest Shiite mosque in Syria, Reuters reported, citing a spokesman for the Interior Ministry.

Images broadcast on state television showed numerous houses and vehicles burned to the ground. According to the Syrian state news agency SANA, a group of rebels initially detonated a bomb near a public bus station in the Koua Sudan residential area. While residents were trying to extinguish the fires and rescue victims, two suicide bombers detonated explosives they were carrying.

"Bodies are still being pulled from the rubble," a witness said.

The incident occurred as representatives of the Syrian government and opposition factions began gathering in Geneva, Switzerland, for UN-mediated peace talks.

Syrian Prime Minister Wael al-Halaki asserted that the attack was carried out by "terrorist groups" to "boost morale" after a series of defeats at the hands of government forces.

According to AFP, the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) has claimed responsibility for the incident.

According to VNE