A bomb explosion ripped through a bus in central Damascus Sunday, killing at least six people.

At least 19 people were reported wounded in what officials say was a rare attack at the center of the Syrian capital.

The bus was carrying Lebanese Shi'ite pilgrims who were on a tour of religious sites.  The bus made a first stop at the Sayyida Roqaya shrine, and was en route to Sayyida Zeinab shrine in southeast Damascus when the explosion happened.

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Al Qaeda linked Nusra Front claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was a suicide bombing.

Syria's state media had reported, five kilograms of explosives were placed in the front area of the bus.  Authorities were able to defuse the second bomb, found on the floor of the bus.  The second device was placed inside a bag.

Rescue workers sifted through the wreckage of the bus for any evidence they could find.  Syrian security forces had cordoned off the area.

The Lebanese Shi'ite movement Hezbollah had denounced the attack saying it's part of a series of bombings targeting pilgrims in Syria.  The bombings prove the barbarity of terrorists, the group added. 

On Sunday, Syria's Prime Minister Wael al-Halqi told parliament that the country aims to "flush out all terrorists from its land".

Halqi praised the efforts of the Syrian security forces and said it would now allow its enemies to destroy Syria - the land of religions and cradle of civilizations.

The civil uprising in Syria, which began in March 2011, was marked by anti-government demonstrations.  The protests resulted in massive defections from the Syrian army.  More than 200,000 people have been killed in the uprising.

Tagsbus bombing, Shiite, Damascus