Omayyad

The strike damaged several buildings in the densely populated district close to Omayyad square in the heart of the capital, where multi-storey security buildings are located within residential areas.

The blast occurred during rush hour at a customs roundabout near the capital’s landmark Omayyad Square, according to the report.

Mourners followed the coffin as it was carried by clerics down the street towards the historic Omayyad mosque for the funeral.

Tipaza was an ancient Roman settlement — sacked by the Vandals, rebuilt by the Byzantines, then destroyed again by the Omayyad Muslims and left in eternal disrepair.

Even Turkey, whose president in 2012 famously vowed to pray at Omayyad Mosque in Damascus after Assad’s ouster, has signaled it would consider working with Assad again if he wins in free and fair elections.