No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, but Iraqi military officials said it was the work of the Islamic State group.

The morning blasts in pro-government cities of Tartus and Jableh were the first of their kind targeting civilians in those areas in the course of Syria's civil war.

The number of child bombers used by the Islamic extremists of Boko Haram has increased, with devastating consequences in communities that now see children as threats, UNICEF said Tuesday.