[3] The explosions reportedly struck an area between the University of Aleppo's halls of residence and the faculty of architecture, on the first day of exams.
While the university has been a center of antigovernment demonstrations, it is also in a government-held area, with neither side seemingly having had an obvious reason to strike.
[4][7][8] Aleppo's governor Mohammed Wahid Akkad called the rocket strikes a "terrorist attack that targeted students on their first day of exams.
[11] On 24 January, amateur video footage of a second explosion was released where the roar of over-flying jet, after missile hit, can be heard.
The union expressed pride in "the sacrifices of the Syrian Arab Army, wishing mercy upon the martyrs of Syria and the University of Aleppo".