**Updated Below**
Syria’s defence minister and Interior minister are among those who were killed after an explosion struck the National Security building in Damascus during a meeting of cabinet ministers and senior security officials, state media reported. Defence minister General Rajha and his deputy Assef Shawkat – the brother-in-law of President Bashar al-Assad – were killed on Wednesday in the deadliest assault on government officials since the violence began 16 months ago. Also killed were Interior Minister Mohammed Ibrahim al-Shaar and General Hassan Turkmani, a former defence minister and currently Syria’s deputy vice president, who later died of his injuries. The head of the national security office Hisham Bekhtyar were among those seriously wounded in the bombing, state television said. – Al Jazeera
THE FREE SYRIAN ARMY took aim at Pres. Bashar al-Assad’s leadership and made a direct hit.
“This is the volcano we talked about, we have just started,” spokesman Qassim Saadedine said.
According to Al Jazeera, the attack had the added impact of landing near where Pres. al-Assad lives.
Robert Fisk, in the interview below, made me chuckle when he gave a picture of Bashar al-Assad looking over his shoulder thinking about what would happen next, while wondering about the departure times to Russia.
UPDATE: On PBS, Judy Woodruff interviewed Frederic Wehrey, Carnegie Institute of Peace, and Steven Heydeman, U.S. Institute of Peace, who both said the statement by Pres. Obama of his conversation with Russia’s Putin signal a “convergence” on Syria. From the White House earlier today:
Readout of the President’s Call with President Putin
President Obama called Russian President Putin today to discuss the developing situation in Syria. The two Presidents noted the growing violence in Syria and agreed on the need to support a political transition as soon as possible that achieves our shared goal of ending the violence and avoiding a further deterioration of the situation. They noted the differences our governments have had on Syria, but agreed to have their teams continue to work toward a solution. President Obama also took the opportunity to express condolences on the tragic loss of life resulting from flooding in southern Russia earlier this month and reiterated the U.S. readiness to provide assistance if needed.
Watch The Day After: Supporting the Democratic Transition in Syria on PBS. See more from PBS NewsHour.
Many Christians in Syria fear for their lives. Syria Defense Minister Gen. Dawoud Rajha died as a result of a terror attack. If we are worried about terror being imported here, ee should not export terror elsewhere. The writing is on the wall, the focus of the foreign intervention in Syria is now on arming Sunni’s and have them attack/kill all non-Sunni Syrians. These does not look like it is going to end bloodshed or stop any violence. The way one part of the population is being armed and encouraged to attack other parts of the population is exactly what went on in Lebanon in the 1970′s and 1980′s
I do hope that Assad does not escape to Russia. I have had numerous wet dreams of his being dragged from the palace, with a rope around his neck, and shot in the head twice. Once for him, and once for daddy. If I were an Alawite I would get out of Syria as fast as I could. Once Assad is gone, the blood will flow freely.
Is Syria’s Interior Ministry in charge of internal security? If so, that was quite a blow today. Well, even more of one.
I just wish for that war to be over, and for a more humane government to take Assad’s place. Based on events in Egypt and Libya, I don’t have a lot of faith that will happen. Typically, the people who win these sorts of struggles are about as ruthless as the folks they’re replacing.
Yes. In fact, Steven Heydeman, U.S. Institute of Peace, said it was a “decapitation of the security apparatus of the regime.”
In the same interview on PBS, which I’ve now embedded, Syrian experts said there’s something between a “tipping point” and a “threshold” that’s been crossed, while both Frederic Wehrey, Carnegie Institute of Peace, and Steven Heydeman, U.S. Institute of Peace, said Bashar al-Assad will likely bring the worst now.
Heydeman broke news on “The News Hour,” saying that he & other at United States Institute of Peace have been working for 6 months on what will happen next, with over 40 dissidents (not his word) from Syria, which he just made public with Woodruff.
This was quite a blow indeed.
I’m with you Cujo in that I also “wish for that war to be over, and for a more humane government to take Assad’s place.”
But, after what Assad did to his countrymen/women and to those children and babies, I want to see him punished severely for his crimes. Ideally, the ICC will try him.
But, when I think of those innocent babies slaughtered by this animal, I see red and want to happen to him what fangio writes.
In fact, when Taylor wrote this post, the first thing I thought was about the possibilty now of Assad’s being killed by the Free Syrian Army. And, before this attack, I didn’t think that was a possibility.
But, the consequences of this attack are anyone’s guess.
Right now I just want to see Assad brought to justice either way.
What I’m getting, from listening to a lot of different experts, is that Pres. Assad is reportedly now moving chemical weapons, which is a dire sign. No one thinks he’ll go quietly or without a lot of bloodshed. In fact, all think he’ll dig in and strike out.
That said, the readout from Pres. Obama’s call also sent a message, which experts agree hints at a “convergence” of American *and* Russia, which will certainly send a chill down Pres. Bashar al-Assad’s spine.
Your first paragraph sent chills down my spine. This SOB has ice in his veins and I can see him using those weapons if cornered.
Your second paragraph gives me hope that this can be resolved if Russia and the US finally have a meeting of the minds on a solution to this madness.
Assad has a meeting with Gaddafi.
Hey Taylor, just to say I really appreciate your providing this coverage and analysis.