BEIRUT (AP) — A military buildup is taking place along Turkey's border with Syria.
Turkey has deployed anti-aircraft guns, rocket launchers and other weapons. Turkey is a former ally of Syria, but it's become one of the strongest critics of Bashar Assad. And tensions have escalated after Syria's downing of a Turkish military plane last week.
Meanwhile, a bomb exploded in central Damascus near a busy market and the country's main justice complex. At least three people were wounded, and cars were damaged in a parking lot. It's not clear who was behind the bombing.
Much of the violence that has gripped Syria since the uprising against Assad began last year 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.
World powers will meet Saturday in Geneva for talks on Syria, but few observers expect a major breakthrough.
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167-v-30-(Mark Lavie (lah-VEE'), AP Middle East correspondent)--A huge blast has rocked the capital of Syria. More from AP Middle East Correspondent Mark Lavie in Cairo. (28 Jun 2012)
<<CUT *167 (06/28/12)>> 00:30
169-c-15-(Mark Lavie (lah-VEE'), AP Middle East correspondent)-"against the regime"-AP Middle East Correspondent Mark Lavie in Cairo reports a bomb explosion has rocked Damascus, the capital of Syria. (28 Jun 2012)
<<CUT *169 (06/28/12)>> 00:15 "against the regime"
GRAPHICSBANK: Turkish and Syrian flags, waving, textured, partial graphic (28 Jun 2012)
APPHOTO NY110: In this image taken from AP video, thick black smoke rises over the Damascus skyline after a powerful explosion rocked the Syrian capital Thursday, June 28, 2012 near a busy market and the country's highest court. (AP Photo/AP video) (28 Jun 2012)
<<APPHOTO NY110 (06/28/12)>>
APPHOTO LON109: Burnt out cars are seen at the site of a blast in the Syrian capital Damascus Thursday June 28, 2012. A strong explosion rocked the Syrian capital Thursday near a busy market and the Palace of Justice, sending black smoke billowing into the sky. State TV reported at least three people were wounded and around 20 cars were damaged. (AP Photo/Bassem Tellawi) (28 Jun 2012)
<<APPHOTO LON109 (06/28/12)>>
