Booby-trapped military vehicle goes off in Damascus

DAMASCUS - Two explosive devices planted under a military pickup truck went off in swift succession in the heart of Syria's capital of Damascus Saturday, leaving property damage but no casualties, reports and witnesses said.

The blast took place in al-Khuja popular market for leather bags when a pickup truck rigged with two explosive devices blew up, witnesses told Xinhua.

A military institution is near the blast scene, but no damages were seen at the buildings.

Details from officials investigating the incident are still forthcoming.

Several bombings were heard in the early hours of Saturday in several areas, local media reported without details.

Reports of minor explosions, kidnappings and killings have grabbed the headlines of the Syrian media lately. Policemen have been repeatedly tipped off by residents in different parts of Damascus about discovering explosive devices attached underneath their cars.

Syria has witnessed a nearly 13-month-old unrest, which the government blames on foreign conspiracy and armed groups.