CCTV9英语新闻：袭击叙利亚城市杀死至少54人（在线收听）

Car bombs and mortar attacks have killed at least 54 people in Syrian government-held areas of Damascus and the central city of Homs. 

Two car bombs exploded in a pro-government neighborhood in Homs on Tuesday, killing at least 40 and wounding over a hundred. Most of those killed were women and children. The official SANA news agency blamed the attack on anti-government rebels. 

In central Damascus, two mortar shells struck an education complex in a mainly Shi’ite Muslim district, killing at least 14 students and wounding dozens. The fresh wave of violence comes as the country gears up for a presidential election on June the 3rd. 

On Monday, President Bashar al-Assad announced his candidacy for a third seven-year term in office. On Tuesday, four new candidates announced their bid for the top post, bringing the total number of contenders to 11.