Syrian Defense Minister among officials killed in Damascus suicide attack < br />

2012-07-20 07:17:19 GMT+7 (ICT)

DAMASCUS, SYRIA (BNO NEWS) -- Three top Syrian government officials were killed on Wednesday, including President Bashar al-Assad's brother-in-law, local authorities said.

Among the killed were Defense Minister General Dawood Rajiha, General Asef Shawkat - Assad's brother-in-law - who was Syria's Deputy Defense Minister, as well as former Defense Minister Hasan Ali Turkmani.

The attack reportedly involved a suicide bomber and occurred at the National Security Headquarters located in Rawda Square in northwestern Damascus, the Syrian capital, during a meeting which gathered a number of high-ranking officials.

According to media reports, the attack was claimed by the Free Syrian Army, although another opposition group, the Liwa-al-Islam, has also claimed responsibility. In addition, reports added that fighting has broken out in several neighborhoods in the city.

United Nations (UN) Secretary-General condemned the attack, expressing alarm over the increasing violence.

"The Secretary-General reiterates that acts of violence committed by any party are unacceptable and a clear violation of the six-point plan," Ban's spokesperson said in a statement. "He is also gravely concerned about reports of the continued use of heavy weapons by the Syrian security forces, including in the Damascus area, against civilians, despite repeated Syrian government assurances that such weapons would be withdrawn."

Meanwhile, British Foreign Secretary William Hague condemned the attack, underlining that it "confirms the urgent need for a Chapter VII resolution of the UN Security Council on Syria."

"The situation in Syria is clearly deteriorating," he added." All the members of the UN Security Council have a responsibility to put their weight behind the enforcement of Joint Special Envoy Kofi Annan's plan to end the violence. We call on all parties to refrain from violence, and for the Security Council to shoulder its responsibilities."

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2012-07-20

When the dust starts to settle in Syria, and Assad (& family and fellow executioners) are either dead or enjoying safe haven in Russia, Syria will be fractured. A bit further along, Islamist extremists will take over. Sorry to say, my crystal ball shows no good outcome. Syria hosts some of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world. It's also a microcosm of what once-lovely terrain looks like when people abuse it for centuries. What was once fields and forests, is now sand and rocks.

For once I am glad that the UN has a lack of spine. The international community will do well to leave this be. As sad as it sounds it is the only course of action. ANY intervention [within the borders of Syria] will make the post invasion Iraq insurgency look like a game of Cowboys and Indians.