Gunmen storm pro-Assad TV station

The aftermath of the bombing of the headquarters of pro-government Syrian TV news channel Ikhbariya.

Gunmen stormed the building, planted explosives and killed three employees, according to state media.

Ikhbariya resumed broadcasting shortly after the attack, displaying bullet holes in its two-storey concrete building and pools of blood on the floor.

Journalists in Damascus staged a demonstration condemning the attack.

The UN monitoring mission in Syria came forward to speak out against the attack as well.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) UNITED NATIONS SUPERVISION MISSION IN SYRIA (UNSMIS) SPOKESWOMAN, SAUSAN GHOSHEH, SAYING:

"The UN mission is alarmed at the attacks today on al-Ikhbariya. Attacks on journalists and media outlets are of utmost concern to the UN mission. We call on all to protect and respect freedom of expression, particularly the freedom of the press."

Syria's information minister claimed that recent international sanctions imposed on Syrian air space were to blame for the attack.

Although Ikhbariya is privately owned, opponents of President Bashar al-Assad say it is a government mouthpiece.

Sarah Sheffer, Reuters