BEIRUT—Syrian government forces booby trapped a cluster of farm buildings in the southern Daraa province and detonated the explosives as several Islamic rebel factions gathered at the venue, killing 17 militants, opposition activists said Sunday, Dec. 27.
The explosion, which took place late Saturday, was the latest blow to the rebels shortly after the assassination Friday of a powerful rebel leader on the outskirts of Damascus. The developments could boost the position of the Damascus government ahead of Syria peace talks in Geneva next month.
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported the explosion in the village of Kfar Shams. Ahmad al-Masalmeh, a Daraa-based opposition activist, said explosives were planted at the farm and detonated once the militants had gathered there.
“Once the fighters entered the farm, the explosives were detonated, killing 17,” al-Masalmeh said.
