In Syria, Attack Kills Senior Government Officials

Update, July 18, 2012: The following piece has been modified to reflect new casualty reports from Syria. 

Syrian Defense Minister Dawoud Rajha reportedly was killed July 18 in an attack on the National Security building in Damascus' Rawda Square. According to Syrian state media, Deputy Defense Minister Assef Shawkat and former Defense Minister Hassan Turkmani also were killed in the attack, and Interior Minister Mohammad al-Shaar and National Security Council chief Hisham Biktyar were injured. In addition, unconfirmed reports have indicated that General Security Directorate chief Hafez Makhlouf was also killed.

The attack occurred as several senior defense leaders and security officials met at the National Security building. Republican Guard troops have surrounded nearby al-Shami Hospital, where some officials were taken for treatment. Opposition sources have reported that the Free Syrian Army planted a device composed of TNT and C-4 inside the building prior to the meeting and then detonated the device remotely.

That a security or intelligence target was attacked inside Damascus is not uncommon. In fact, rebels attacked the Intelligence Directorate in Damascus in November 2011. However, if reports are accurate, the July 18 attack would mark the first time rebels were able to circumvent security measures to enter a building and carry out an effective attack so close to high-value targets.