Your trusted source

Terror group Islamic State claimed responsibility for three deadly bombings that rocked a Shiite district south of the capital Damascus earlier in the day killing over 76 people, according to India TV.

The blasts went off in the Damascus suburb of Sayyda Zeinab, about 600 meters (yards) from one of the holiest shrines for Shiite Muslims. The attackers detonated a car bomb at a bus stop and that two suicide bombers then set off more explosives as rescuers rushed to the area. State TV showed several burning cars and a scorched bus, as well as blown out windows, twisted metal and large holes in the facade of a nearby apartment building. The golden-domed Shiite shrine itself was not damaged.

The bombings cast a shadow over the Geneva talks, the first UN effort since 2014 to try to end the conflict that has killed at least 250,000 people, forced millions to flee the country, and given an opening to IS militants to capture territory.

Syria's delegate to the U.N.-sponsored peace talks said the violence confirmed the connection between 'terrorism' and 'some political groups'   a reference to those who oppose President Bashar Assad.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based opposition group that monitors the conflict, said over 70 people were killed, including 25 pro-government Shiite fighters. It said the dead fighters included Syrians and foreigners.