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Syria mired in blame game over Damascus bombs Syria mired in blame game over Damascus bombs
(40 minutes later)
No one could argue with the latest grim images from Syria — of bomb craters, blast-damaged buildings, burned-out vehicles charred corpses and body parts — but the question of who was behind the devastating early morning attacks was being asked even before the smoke had cleared. The question of who was behind the latest grim images from Syria – of bomb craters, blast-damaged buildings, burned-out vehicles charred corpses and body parts – was being asked even before the smoke had cleared.
Syrian state media quicky blamed unidentified terrorists for two large car bombs that exploded outside offices of the Mukhabarat secret police in a Damascus suburb. But opposition spokesmen denied responsibility and accused the Assad regime of carrying out the atrocity. Syrian state media quickly blamed unidentified terrorists for two large car bombs that exploded in the early morning outside offices of the Mukhabarat secret police in a Damascus suburb. But opposition spokesmen denied responsibility and accused the Assad regime of carrying out the atrocity.
The 40-plus death toll made the attack the biggest in the capital since the start of the Syrian uprising in March 2011. It was sophsticated and co-ordinated — one blast was followed by a second larger one, maximising casualties, damage — and terror. The 50-plus death toll made the attack the biggest in the capital since the start of the Syrian uprising in March 2011. It was sophisticated and co-ordinated – one blast was followed by a second larger one, maximising casualties, damage and terror.
Haitham Maleh and Bassam Ja'ara, leading opposition spokesman, blamed the regime and claimed it was reacting to criticism from Kofi Annan, the UN and Arab League envoy, about the failure to implement his six-point peace plan. The Free Syrian Army (FSA), the main armed wing of the opposition, insisted that it was still observing a ceasefire under the terms of the Annan plan. Haitham Maleh and Bassam Ja'ara, leading opposition spokesmen, blamed the regime and claimed it was reacting to criticism from Kofi Annan, the UN and Arab League envoy, about the failure to implement his six-point peace plan. The Free Syrian Army (FSA), the main armed wing of the opposition, insisted that it was still observing a ceasefire under the terms of the Annan plan.
Syria's divided opposition has repeatedly accused the government of organising bombing attacks to smear its enemies as terrorists and to detract attention from the peaceful origins of the uprising and continuing popular support for it — though it does now include a significant armed element. Jabhat al-Nusra, a little-known jihadi-type organisation, has claimed responsibility for previous bombings in Damascus and Aleppo. Syria's divided opposition has repeatedly accused the government of organising bombing attacks to smear its enemies as terrorists and to detract attention from the peaceful origins of the uprising and continuing popular support for it – though it does now include a significant armed element. Jabhat al-Nusra, a little-known jihadi-type organisation, has claimed responsibility for previous bombings in Damascus and Aleppo.
Analysts also note that Syria's intelligence services have a track record of dirty tricks, including assassinations and bombings in Lebanon, and of manipulating extreme Islamist groups for their own purposes.Analysts also note that Syria's intelligence services have a track record of dirty tricks, including assassinations and bombings in Lebanon, and of manipulating extreme Islamist groups for their own purposes.
The regime view, expressed though state media, is that it is fighting terrorists backed by Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the US and Israel. The latest bombing was the work of "Nato-backed FSA terrorists," tweeted one government supporter.The regime view, expressed though state media, is that it is fighting terrorists backed by Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the US and Israel. The latest bombing was the work of "Nato-backed FSA terrorists," tweeted one government supporter.
Opinions are divided about two attacks on similarly sensitive security installations in the Kafr Sousseh area of Damascus just before Christmas. Opposition sources described mysterious transfers of prisoners to the heavily guarded buildings the day before the blasts, which coincided with the arrival of Arab League monitors.Opinions are divided about two attacks on similarly sensitive security installations in the Kafr Sousseh area of Damascus just before Christmas. Opposition sources described mysterious transfers of prisoners to the heavily guarded buildings the day before the blasts, which coincided with the arrival of Arab League monitors.
Western governments, however, concluded that the attacks had been carried out by an al-Qaida type group using military explosives and methods perfected in Iraq.Western governments, however, concluded that the attacks had been carried out by an al-Qaida type group using military explosives and methods perfected in Iraq.
But the next attack, a suicide bombing on 6 January in the nearby suburb of Meidan, was widely believed to have been staged by the Syrian authorities.But the next attack, a suicide bombing on 6 January in the nearby suburb of Meidan, was widely believed to have been staged by the Syrian authorities.
Film inadvertently broadcast on state media showed apparently dead or injured people moving around after being filmed, or objects such as shopping bags being placed at the scene by security personnel. State media arrived on the scene surprisingly quickly, adding to suspicions that it was an elaborate fake.Film inadvertently broadcast on state media showed apparently dead or injured people moving around after being filmed, or objects such as shopping bags being placed at the scene by security personnel. State media arrived on the scene surprisingly quickly, adding to suspicions that it was an elaborate fake.
Syrian opposition sources have also claimed that names on the casualty lists in these incidents had been duplicated.Syrian opposition sources have also claimed that names on the casualty lists in these incidents had been duplicated.