Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

jakeXT

(10,575 posts)
Sat Mar 17, 2012, 05:57 AM Mar 2012

Reports: Two blasts hit Syria's capital city

Source: USA Today, AP, SANA

BEIRUT, Lebanon (AP) – Twin bombings struck government targets in the Syrian capital early Saturday, killing security forces and civilians and leaving pools of blood and carnage in the streets, according to state-run television.

The violence comes as the country's yearlong uprising, which started with mostly peaceful protests, descends into a nascent civil war involving large-scale government assaults on rebel-held cities. President Bashar Assad's regime blamed the explosions in Damascus on the "terrorist forces" that it claims are behind the revolt.

According to the state-run news agency, SANA, preliminary information indicated the blasts were caused by car bombs that hit the aviation intelligence department and the criminal security department at around 7:30 a.m local time. Shooting broke out soon after the blast and sent residents and others who had gathered in the area fleeing, an Associated Press reporter at the scene said.

The bombings were the latest in a string of suicide attacks in Syria, which have killed dozens of people since late December.

Read more: http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/story/2012-03-17/damascus-syria-bombs/53582656/1

10 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Reports: Two blasts hit Syria's capital city (Original Post) jakeXT Mar 2012 OP
Syria's "friends" and liberators, at work. Spreading freedom and democracy. leveymg Mar 2012 #1
definitely looks like it arewenotdemo Mar 2012 #3
You know, I hadn't seen that clip until after you mentioned it. For the edification of others: leveymg Mar 2012 #4
What I find difficult to fathom is why arewenotdemo Mar 2012 #5
Two Blasts Near Security Agencies in Damascus bemildred Mar 2012 #2
Criminal Security Department? Turbineguy Mar 2012 #6
The terrorists are pissed about their big defeats recently. David__77 Mar 2012 #7
This is what Syria has to look forward to for the foreseeable future. joshcryer Mar 2012 #8
Ofc Dokkie Mar 2012 #9
Think Peace... midnight Mar 2012 #10

leveymg

(36,418 posts)
1. Syria's "friends" and liberators, at work. Spreading freedom and democracy.
Sat Mar 17, 2012, 08:12 AM
Mar 2012

#
Intelligence Chief Concerned About Al Qaeda in Syria Conflict - ABC ...
abcnews.go.com/.../intelligence-chief-concerned-about-al-qaeda-in-s...
You +1'd this publicly. Undo
Feb 16, 2012 – Director of National Intelligence James Clapper testified before Congress today that al Qaeda and Sunni extremists were seeking to gain ...
#

 

arewenotdemo

(2,364 posts)
3. definitely looks like it
Sat Mar 17, 2012, 01:43 PM
Mar 2012

I wonder what the Administration's most recognizable Death's Head ("We came, we saw, he died&quot will have to say about this?

 

arewenotdemo

(2,364 posts)
5. What I find difficult to fathom is why
Sat Mar 17, 2012, 02:16 PM
Mar 2012

a Tennessee Republican seems to be the clearest voice against intervention in Syria?

http://thecable.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2012/03/13/senior_republican_senator_syrian_revolution_not_really_about_democracy

Meanwhile, Egyptian women can now freely aspire to mosque janitorial work.

bemildred

(90,061 posts)
2. Two Blasts Near Security Agencies in Damascus
Sat Mar 17, 2012, 11:20 AM
Mar 2012

BEIRUT, Lebanon — Two large explosions, believed to be car bombs, struck the Syrian capital, Damascus, on Saturday morning, hitting intelligence and security buildings in busy sections of the city and killing or wounding dozens of civilians and security personnel, Syrian state media reported.

The back-to-back bombings in President Bashar al-Assad’s seat of power — one exploding in the same area where a state security headquarters was bombed in December — shocked residents who have enjoyed relative calm during the yearlong uprising against the government and a fierce and crackdown. And the blasts stood as a direct challenge to the government’s recent claims that it was close to restoring order.

Syrian media reports, quoting the health minister, Wael al-Halki, said at least 27 people had been killed and 97 wounded in the explosions. There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

It was the fourth time in three months that mysterious bombings have hit security compounds in Damascus and Aleppo, the country’s commercial hub and largest city. They stoked fears that, as an uprising that began peacefully transforms into a grinding, asymmetrical war, Syria could become an arena for forces that neither the government nor the opposition fully controls.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/18/world/middleeast/damascus-syria-two-large-explosions-reported.html

David__77

(23,402 posts)
7. The terrorists are pissed about their big defeats recently.
Sat Mar 17, 2012, 07:33 PM
Mar 2012

These suicide bombings are acts of desperation.

joshcryer

(62,270 posts)
8. This is what Syria has to look forward to for the foreseeable future.
Sat Mar 17, 2012, 08:45 PM
Mar 2012

Good job, Assad. You made them what they are.

 

Dokkie

(1,688 posts)
9. Ofc
Sat Mar 17, 2012, 10:16 PM
Mar 2012

Just like blaming the US govt for 911. Only if the US just gave into Al Qaeda, maybe just maybe they would have spared us on that faithful day. I wish all those people willing to destroy Syria will be captured and tried.

Dont start a revolution when you do not have the support of the majority of the people.

Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»Reports: Two blasts hit S...