DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — A car bomb exploded in a busy market in a rebel-held suburb of the Syrian capital Saturday, killing at least two people and wounding dozens as Muslims went shopping a day before the start of their holy month of Ramadan, activists said.

The blast in Douma came nearly two hours after Russia’s deputy foreign minister called on the United States and Europe to take “serious” steps to combat terrorism during a visit to Damascus, warning that several Middle Eastern countries are threatened.