DAMASCUS, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from a powerful explosion at a Syrian weapons depot near the Adra Industrial City in rural Damascus rose to 11 on Sunday, with most of the casualties believed to be civilians, a war monitor reported.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and local media, search and rescue teams remain at the scene to recover bodies and clear debris.

The blast sent debris flying and caused extensive damage to the facility associated with the now-ousted Bashar al-Assad's government.

Initial reports indicated at least two people were killed, but the death toll continued to rise throughout the day. A video posted online showed significant destruction and multiple fatalities.

The observatory said the suspected raid was part of Israel's ongoing efforts to destroy remnants of the old regime's armaments.

This incident follows a series of reported Israeli attacks on former regime-affiliated sites, as Syria's new administration consolidates power after the collapse of the previous government on Dec. 8. Enditem

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