Article

2004-04-27 Syria-Lebanon-Iran

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Posted by Lux 2004-04-27 1:40:47 PM|| || Front Page|| [7 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 {BBC} A series of explosions and gunfire rocked the Syrian capital Damascus on Tuesday evening, reports say. Sources in the city said between three and five explosions were heard starting at about 1600 GMT. The blasts were followed by repeated gunfire. The explosions are said to have occurred near the Iranian and Canadian embassies in the city. They took place on the Mesa highway leading into central Damascus from the Lebanese capital Beirut.

Posted by Lux 2004-04-27 1:48:51 PM|| 2004-04-27 1:48:51 PM|| Front Page Top

#2 Israelis celebrating?

Posted by Shipman 2004-04-27 1:54:35 PM|| 2004-04-27 1:54:35 PM|| Front Page Top

#3 Does nobody read the damn labels on their Iraqi WMDs?

"Store at room temperature."

Jeez, Syria, follow the friggin instructions.

Posted by Laurence of the Rats 2004-04-27 2:01:03 PM|| 2004-04-27 2:01:03 PM|| Front Page Top

#4 Dammit Hamid, careful - you let the blue wire touch the yellow wire!

Posted by Anonymous4052 2004-04-27 2:04:57 PM|| 2004-04-27 2:04:57 PM|| Front Page Top

#5 LGF poster saying car bomb outside of British Embassy.... 4 other explosions gunfire etc.

Posted by Shipman 2004-04-27 2:06:21 PM|| 2004-04-27 2:06:21 PM|| Front Page Top

#6 near the Iranian and Canadian embassies

FIGHT! FIGHT!

Posted by Robert Crawford 2004-04-27 2:07:47 PM|| [http://www.kloognome.com] 2004-04-27 2:07:47 PM|| Front Page Top

#7 wonder if they had any poison gasses left over from the raid.

Posted by B 2004-04-27 2:12:00 PM|| 2004-04-27 2:12:00 PM|| Front Page Top

#8 near the Iranian and Canadian embassies

Hmm, will the Canadian's be able to stop the attacks upon them by hanging a banner on the wall that sez "We ain't Americans, eh." ;)

Posted by Laurence of the Rats 2004-04-27 2:12:07 PM|| 2004-04-27 2:12:07 PM|| Front Page Top

#9 Seriously, though, I'd bet this is more of Syria's proxy war. First: funnel jihadis into Iraq, destabilize it. Second: support terrorist attacks against moderate Arab states, for example, Jordan. Third: token terrorist attacks on own soil, aimed at Western nations; any locals killed are propaganda fodder ("we are victims too!").

Posted by Robert Crawford 2004-04-27 2:12:32 PM|| [http://www.kloognome.com] 2004-04-27 2:12:32 PM|| Front Page Top

#10 Sky News has this

SERIES OF BLASTS REPORTED IN DAMASCUS

There are reports of a series of explosions in the Syrian capital Damascus, near to the Iranian ambassador's residence.

Up to five blasts, accompanied by heavy gunfire, were heard in an area of the city where the British embassy is located, though the Foreign Office said it was not the target.

The blasts rang out at around 8 pm local time near a district housing the UN representatives' offices as well as the embassies of Canada and Iran, according to the AFP news agency.

Local residents said sirens blared after the explosions and that security forces had cordoned off the area.

Posted by Anonymous4052 2004-04-27 2:14:13 PM|| 2004-04-27 2:14:13 PM|| Front Page Top

#11 "Between 3-5 blasts, sirens, heavy shooting in western district of Syrian capital Damascus, which Syrian security forces have cordoned off. Damascus hospitals placed on the ready. DEBKAfileâs sources add: Initial accounts indicate area of British ambassadorâs residence, Canadian and Saudi embassies in W. Damascus targeted in series of terrorist attacks by car bombs and gun squads. More details awaited."

Posted by Evert V. in NL 2004-04-27 2:14:48 PM|| [http://srv.fotopages.com/?o=935389&t=2] 2004-04-27 2:14:48 PM|| Front Page Top

#12 Did the security forces have the area cordoned off before the blasts. That is the question...

Posted by Laurence of the Rats 2004-04-27 2:19:29 PM|| 2004-04-27 2:19:29 PM|| Front Page Top

#13 Just in from Haaretz flash:

21:15 Syrian TV reports that Syrian security forces clash with `terrorist band` in capital of Damascus

Posted by Evert V. in NL 2004-04-27 2:20:20 PM|| [http://srv.fotopages.com/?o=935389&t=2] 2004-04-27 2:20:20 PM|| Front Page Top

#14 guess you can call it short travel time to targets..

Posted by Dan 2004-04-27 2:21:12 PM|| 2004-04-27 2:21:12 PM|| Front Page Top

#15 ...Holy S**t...I'm wondering if the terrs haven't decided to make a play for taking over Syria...

Mike

Posted by Mike Kozlowski 2004-04-27 2:22:48 PM|| 2004-04-27 2:22:48 PM|| Front Page Top

#16 I doubt its state sponsored attacks on the embassies.
1. Totalitarian states generally dont like ANY kind of disorder in their capital - once things look disorderly, you can lose control and ANYTHING can happen. Teheran 1979 was different - there was internal strife within the Revolutionary govt, with the Ayatollahs trying to push out the 'leftists'.
2. The list of targets makes no sense - the Canadians???

No, its either Israelis (kinda makes sense that Meshaal would hide in the diplo district, thinking hes safer there - OTOH didnt the Israelis just say to Zahar that they wont hit him unless Hamas hits them again - why wouldnt this 'hudna' apply to Meshaal?) or internal strife - perhaps with a little outside encouragement;)

Posted by Liberalhawk 2004-04-27 2:23:55 PM|| 2004-04-27 2:23:55 PM|| Front Page Top

#17 Do the Israelis use car bombs?

Posted by Seafarious 2004-04-27 2:26:45 PM|| 2004-04-27 2:26:45 PM|| Front Page Top

#18 alternatives
1. It is State sponsored, purely to put on a show of how tough the Syrians are on terrorists ("hey mahmoud, if Karimov can get aid, the Saudis can get help, the Moroccan, WHY CANT WE!!!)
2. The Syrians have covertly been clamping down themselves(due to US pressure?), and now AQ is striking back
3. Or its just people who dont like the govt of Syria

Posted by Liberalhawk 2004-04-27 2:26:58 PM|| 2004-04-27 2:26:58 PM|| Front Page Top

#19 The list of targets makes no sense - the Canadians???

They're kufr just like the rest of us.

Posted by Robert Crawford 2004-04-27 2:27:50 PM|| [http://www.kloognome.com] 2004-04-27 2:27:50 PM|| Front Page Top

#20 FoxNews is saying Arab TV claims 15 blasts heard plus gunfire - locations in Diplo area - near Saudi Amb's residence. Talking head sez this may be Muslim Brotherhood - which Daddy Assad virtually wiped out a few decades ago. He describes it as less strictly Islmaist than Wahhabism - much like the Egyptian version, he sez. Mebbe AlQ Lite? (lol)

So, "they're baaaaack"???

Posted by .com 2004-04-27 2:28:24 PM|| 2004-04-27 2:28:24 PM|| Front Page Top

#21 Liberalhawk - To the untrained eye Canadians look a lot like us. The slang word, "Eh?" is lost on the 'qadas, etc.

Posted by Anonymous4052 2004-04-27 2:28:43 PM|| 2004-04-27 2:28:43 PM|| Front Page Top

#22 The list of targets makes no sense - the Canadians??? They're kufr just like the rest of us.

Oh yeah, it makes sense it the perps are AQ, who are targeting Kufr without distinction. It DOESNT make sense if its the Syrian govt, pursuing some political strategy, like Teheran 1979.

Posted by Liberalhawk 2004-04-27 2:34:48 PM|| 2004-04-27 2:34:48 PM|| Front Page Top

#23 To the untrained eye Canadians look a lot like us. The slang word, "Eh?" is lost on the 'qadas, etc

Again, I was responding to the hypothesis that the Syrian govt is behind it (did they cordon off the area BEFORE the bombs went off etc) I think thats a reasonable question, given that at least some elements in the Iranian govt supported the takeover of the US embassy in Teheran in 1979. I was suggesting that if the Syrian govt were doing something like that at all (which i doubt) they wouldnt pick the Canadians (and I presume Syrian intell and anyone working for them can tell which embassy is which)

Posted by Liberalhawk 2004-04-27 2:37:34 PM|| 2004-04-27 2:37:34 PM|| Front Page Top

#24 LH -- Syria supporting AQ would be riding the tiger. In any case, why would they care of the Canadian embassy were hit? What would Canada do?

Posted by Robert Crawford 2004-04-27 2:39:05 PM|| [http://www.kloognome.com] 2004-04-27 2:39:05 PM|| Front Page Top

#25 LH -- Syria supporting AQ would be riding the tiger. In any case, why would they care of the Canadian embassy were hit? What would Canada do?

Posted by Robert Crawford 2004-04-27 2:39:08 PM|| [http://www.kloognome.com] 2004-04-27 2:39:08 PM|| Front Page Top

#26 Egyptian muslim brotherhood started as broader Islamist, but with a domestic focus. OTOH they gave rise to Sayad Qutb, the UR philosopher of Islamofascism, and the inspiration for antiwestern Jihad, and at least one branch of the "brothers" evolved into Egyptian Islamic Jihad, which later merged into AQ (that al Zawahiri) Mainstream Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood gave rise to Hamas as the Pal offshoot. The Syrian offshoot rebelled against Daddy Assad about twenty years ago, and took over the town of Homs. Daddy Assad then had the Syrian military level the center of town, with, IIRC, at least 10,000 civilian deaths.

Posted by Liberalhawk 2004-04-27 2:43:37 PM|| 2004-04-27 2:43:37 PM|| Front Page Top

#27 Reports that the Damascus UN building is on fire.

I would assume that this was a jihadi group, either directly supported by Syria or operating with tactic approval, that has went 'rouge' and decided to sh*t where they eat.

Posted by Lux 2004-04-27 2:45:33 PM|| 2004-04-27 2:45:33 PM|| Front Page Top

#28 Lh - Spot-on with FoxNews "expert" - only diff was he thought as many as 20,000 died when Daddy wiped out their strongholds. Great BG data, Thx!

Posted by .com 2004-04-27 2:46:43 PM|| 2004-04-27 2:46:43 PM|| Front Page Top

#29 1. Why would Syria do it? I can understand they might support AQ in Iraq, or to destabilize Jordan. But why would Syria give the go ahead to AQ to launch attacks in Damascus???
2. Canada could cut off trade contacts, and encourage Euros to do the same. Syria dont got oil - their products are much more "boycottable" - Baby Assad has been trying to convince everyone hes reformed so he can get trade and investment. Now if there are elements in Syrian intell who are trying to undermine Baby Assad ..........

Posted by Liberalhawk 2004-04-27 2:47:07 PM|| 2004-04-27 2:47:07 PM|| Front Page Top

#30 If this gets out of hand, then the Marines/Army on the Iraq/Syria border may have to deal with refugees.

Posted by Anonymous4052 2004-04-27 2:50:55 PM|| 2004-04-27 2:50:55 PM|| Front Page Top

#31 I think it's time we all grasp the concept that there are infidels and non-infidels. With this in mind, you don't need to wonder why they attack Spain or France or Syria when it doesn't seem to be in their best interests to do so.

All targets are viable. I said it on another post and I'll say it again...does the hunter shoot one bear over another because one bear could have, but didn't attack him?

NO! He kills one bear over another because it was easier to kill than the others. Given the choice of two bears, he will choose the one which makes a better trophy to place over his mantel.

Everyone needs to let go of the idea that Islamonuts will let those who don't attack them off the hook. They don't pick their targets that way any more than a bear hunter selects his.

Easy kill - good.
Impressive kill - good

Nice bear - meaningless.

Posted by B 2004-04-27 2:52:27 PM|| 2004-04-27 2:52:27 PM|| Front Page Top

#32 Canada could cut off trade contacts, and encourage Euros to do the same.

You mean like what happened with Saddam's Iraq? That worked well, didn't it?

Sorry for getting you so wound up. It was wild speculation on my part; I didn't expect anyone to go berserk over it.

Posted by Robert Crawford 2004-04-27 2:55:31 PM|| [http://www.kloognome.com] 2004-04-27 2:55:31 PM|| Front Page Top

#33 B - I wasnt talking about AQ. I was talking about the Syrian govt, based on the hypothesis that they are somehow behind this. They would have a strategy - not having to do with niceness, but with a strategy. In Teheran 1979, it was the US embassy that was seized - not cause everyone else was nice, but cause that was the embassy seizure that could rally the students to the ayatollahs, and could drive the 'moderates' out of the govt, which was apparently the goal of the Ayatollahs. I assume that Baby Assad is strategic, and has a reason for whatever he does - the Assad family are a bunch of machiavellian schemers, NOT nutcases lashing out at all Kufrs. Indeed Daddy Assad was more or less what the left has claimed (incorrectly in my view) that Saddam was - a deterrable survivor, who was rational at bottom. Doesnt mean that the region wont be better off with the Assads gone.

Posted by Liberalhawk 2004-04-27 2:58:03 PM|| 2004-04-27 2:58:03 PM|| Front Page Top

#34 Iraq - OIL
Syria - NO OIL

Iraq - mad ruler, waiting out the sanctions.
Syria - machiavellian ruler, looking for economic development.

Posted by Liberalhawk 2004-04-27 2:59:19 PM|| 2004-04-27 2:59:19 PM|| Front Page Top

#35 what with all the bear killin today.

Posted by muck4doo 2004-04-27 3:01:58 PM|| [http://www.kfccruelty.com/KFCbuttgame/index.html] 2004-04-27 3:01:58 PM|| Front Page Top

#36 "what with all the bear killin today."

They were bear necessities, simple bear necessities, metaphor-wise speaking.

Posted by balloo 2004-04-27 3:14:42 PM|| 2004-04-27 3:14:42 PM|| Front Page Top

#37 LH..it's hard to know if it is AQ or Syrian govnt. I'll say first, I don't know.

But I do think that there is some confusion, especially among Euroweenies, Canadians and socialists in their belief that if they just hate the Jews and GW enough..then they can be friends with AQ.

AQ sees the world in black and white: infidels and believers. All infidels are fair game. Being nice, like Zappy, or Chirac, just makes their job easier.

Since Mucky is upset about all the bear killing, think of AQ as serial killers. If a serial killer wants to kill prostitutes...he looks for the easiest target. If she is nice to him, it only makes it easier for him. The bottom line is she's a prostitue. NOTHING else matters. And so it is with AQ and infidels. Once you grasp that, AQ seemingly self-destructive actions make more sense.

They aren't interested in our own conflicts between left and right. Those distinctions are as completely meaningless to them. All infidels make good victims. The more sensational, the better.

Posted by B 2004-04-27 3:19:11 PM|| 2004-04-27 3:19:11 PM|| Front Page Top

#38 So, has the UN pulled out of Syria yet?

Posted by Steve 2004-04-27 3:21:54 PM|| 2004-04-27 3:21:54 PM|| Front Page Top

#39 Nobody's said Kurds yet. They're the latest victims in Syria.

I find it very difficult to believe that the Muslim Brotherhood would have been permitted to reconstitute in Syria. Daddy did a fine job of eliminating that threat.

Posted by Chuck Simmins 2004-04-27 3:29:50 PM|| [http://blog.simmins.org] 2004-04-27 3:29:50 PM|| Front Page Top

#40 Sudanese returning those Syrian weapons, maybe?

Posted by snellenr 2004-04-27 3:30:43 PM|| 2004-04-27 3:30:43 PM|| Front Page Top

#41 sneller...funny.

Posted by B 2004-04-27 3:32:30 PM|| 2004-04-27 3:32:30 PM|| Front Page Top

#42 from what i have read baby assad does not control the hold over adviser from papas' reign - who are much more militristic...

Posted by Dan 2004-04-27 3:36:34 PM|| 2004-04-27 3:36:34 PM|| Front Page Top

#43 On the other hand,we know lots of people have been getting into Iraq from Syria.We also know US Marines have stepped up patrols on border and have apparently been permanently stopping a bunch.It is just possible that attack(s) in Syria were by bunch of frustrated jihadis who no longer felt they could get into Iraq and fight the Americans.If they can't get into Iraq(may be shortage of guides and smugglers now)why not strike the infidels they can get to in Syria.If this is correct,we will see Syria crack down on the jihadis and no longer accept them,making it easier for US in Iraq.May also be explanation for failed attack on Jordan-if Syria is closed off,the jihadis would have wanted to open Jordan borders.

Posted by Stephen 2004-04-27 3:46:56 PM|| 2004-04-27 3:46:56 PM|| Front Page Top

#44 Nobody's said Kurds yet.

Murat's still in bed.

Posted by Robert Crawford 2004-04-27 3:59:26 PM|| [http://www.kloognome.com] 2004-04-27 3:59:26 PM|| Front Page Top

#45 Ifin it is the brotherhood, who in the hell do we root for? Or just say go teams? Jeeeeez. This is making no sense.

Posted by Shipman 2004-04-27 8:06:57 PM|| 2004-04-27 8:06:57 PM|| Front Page Top

#46 Murat's still in bed.

Probably depressed that things aren't "going well" in Fallujah...

Posted by Pappy 2004-04-28 12:03:54 AM|| 2004-04-28 12:03:54 AM|| Front Page Top

09:44 muck4doo
09:35 raptor
04:03 Howard UK
01:55 Rex Mundi
00:06 BigEd
00:03 Pappy
00:01 Mike Sylwester
00:00 Old Patriot
23:57 Super Hose
23:52 Super Hose
23:52 Old Patriot
23:46 Barbara Skolaut
23:42 Pappy
23:38 Long Hair Republican
23:30 Super Hose
23:30 Pappy
23:20 Bomb-a-rama
23:16 Ol_Dirty_American
23:11 ruprecht
23:07 Anonymous4602
23:02 ex-lib
22:51 Infidel Bob
22:48 Phil Fraering
22:48 Super Hose