Syrian Defense Minister, Assad Brother-in-Law Killed in Blast
Syria's defense minister and Bashar al-Assad's powerful brother-in-law were killed in the suicide bombing of a cabinet meeting in Damascus Wednesday, and several other ministers were critically wounded. Laura Rozen reports that the Free Syrian Army claimed responsibility for the attack, which marks a dramatic new phase for the rebellion.
Syrian Defense Minister General Daoud Rajha and Bashar al-Assad’s powerful brother-in-law were killed in the suicide bombing of a cabinet meeting in Damascus Wednesday, Syrian state TV reported.
“The Minister of Defense was martyred by the terrorist bombing that targeted the national-security building,” the State TV report said, according to the BBC.
Assef Shawkat, the husband of Assad’s sister and a senior defense official, was also killed in the blast, Syrian state TV later reported.
Several other ministers were reported to be critically wounded. Later reports said former defense minister and Assistant Vice President Hassan Turkmani subsequently died of wounds sustained in the blast.
