Jump to content

2011 Damascus bombings: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
No edit summary
Removed double reference to Baird statement. ~~~~
Line 34: Line 34:
Government authorities blamed Islamist groups, with particular emphasis on [[al-Qaeda]]. A [[Foreign relations of Syria|Foreign Ministry]] official told reporters that [[Lebanon]] had warned Syria that several militants entered the country through the town of Ersal near [[Baalbek]]. He also apparently confirmed the blasts were the work of suicide bombers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/lebanon-warned-syria-warned-of-al-qaeda-infiltration/|title=Lebanon warned Syria warned of al Qaeda infiltration|publisher=Reuters|date=23 December 2011|accessdate=23 December 2011}}</ref>
Government authorities blamed Islamist groups, with particular emphasis on [[al-Qaeda]]. A [[Foreign relations of Syria|Foreign Ministry]] official told reporters that [[Lebanon]] had warned Syria that several militants entered the country through the town of Ersal near [[Baalbek]]. He also apparently confirmed the blasts were the work of suicide bombers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/lebanon-warned-syria-warned-of-al-qaeda-infiltration/|title=Lebanon warned Syria warned of al Qaeda infiltration|publisher=Reuters|date=23 December 2011|accessdate=23 December 2011}}</ref>


Syrian opposition leaders accused the government of staging the attacks to justify its crackdown on the uprising.<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-16313879 Syria says twin suicide bombings in Damascus kill 44]. Bbc.co.uk. 23 December 2011. Retrieved on 2011-12-24.</ref> Former Lebanese prime minister [[Saad Hariri]] claimed the bombings were "engineered" by the Syrian regime.<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/middle-east-live/2011/dec/23/syria-egypt-yemen-protests-live-updates?newsfeed=true Syria: 'bomb attacks' in Damascus – Friday 23 December]. Guardian. 23 December 2011. Retrieved on 2011-12-24.</ref> The [[Free Syrian Army]] (FSA), the main anti-regime paramilitary group, denied responsibility and accused the government of perpetrating the attack to win sympathy from the [[Arab League]] and its observers, who had arrived just before the bombings.<ref>[http://www.nowlebanon.com/NewsArticleDetails.aspx?ID=346093&MID=149&PID=2 Free Syrian Army Chief of Staff blames regime for twin blasts]. Nowlebanon.com. 24 December 2011. Retrieved on 2011-12-24.</ref> Commentators noted that the FSA and other opposition groups in the 2011 uprising had not used suicide attacks before.<ref>[http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/12/23/us-syria-bombings-idUSTRE7BM18T20111223 Analysis: Syria bombings signal deadlier phase of revolt]. Reuters.com. 23 December 2011. Retrieved on 2011-12-24.</ref> The [[Syrian National Council]] said "the Syrian regime, alone, bears all the direct responsibility for the two terrorist explosions", adding that the regime wanted to create the impression "that it faces danger coming from abroad and not a popular revolution demanding freedom and dignity".<ref name=afp-24dec/> Canadian foreign minister John Baird dismissed claims that al-Qaeda were responsible.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Baird+dismisses+claim+Qaida+responsible+attacks/5908435/story.html/|title=Baird dismisses claim al-Qaida responsible for attacks|publisher=Vancouver Sun|date=24 December 2011|accessdate=25 December 2011}}</ref>
Syrian opposition leaders accused the government of staging the attacks to justify its crackdown on the uprising.<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-16313879 Syria says twin suicide bombings in Damascus kill 44]. Bbc.co.uk. 23 December 2011. Retrieved on 2011-12-24.</ref> Former Lebanese prime minister [[Saad Hariri]] claimed the bombings were "engineered" by the Syrian regime.<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/middle-east-live/2011/dec/23/syria-egypt-yemen-protests-live-updates?newsfeed=true Syria: 'bomb attacks' in Damascus – Friday 23 December]. Guardian. 23 December 2011. Retrieved on 2011-12-24.</ref> The [[Free Syrian Army]] (FSA), the main anti-regime paramilitary group, denied responsibility and accused the government of perpetrating the attack to win sympathy from the [[Arab League]] and its observers, who had arrived just before the bombings.<ref>[http://www.nowlebanon.com/NewsArticleDetails.aspx?ID=346093&MID=149&PID=2 Free Syrian Army Chief of Staff blames regime for twin blasts]. Nowlebanon.com. 24 December 2011. Retrieved on 2011-12-24.</ref> Commentators noted that the FSA and other opposition groups in the 2011 uprising had not used suicide attacks before.<ref>[http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/12/23/us-syria-bombings-idUSTRE7BM18T20111223 Analysis: Syria bombings signal deadlier phase of revolt]. Reuters.com. 23 December 2011. Retrieved on 2011-12-24.</ref> The [[Syrian National Council]] said "the Syrian regime, alone, bears all the direct responsibility for the two terrorist explosions", adding that the regime wanted to create the impression "that it faces danger coming from abroad and not a popular revolution demanding freedom and dignity".<ref name=afp-24dec/>


Canadian foreign minister John Baird dismissed claims that al-Qaeda were responsible.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Baird+dismisses+claim+Qaida+responsible+attacks/5908435/story.html/|title=Baird dismisses claim al-Qaida responsible for attacks|publisher=Vancouver Sun|date=24 December 2011|accessdate=25 December 2011}}</ref>
Canadian foreign minister John Baird dismissed claims that al-Qaeda were responsible.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Baird+dismisses+claim+Qaida+responsible+attacks/5908435/story.html/|title=Baird dismisses claim al-Qaida responsible for attacks|publisher=Vancouver Sun|date=24 December 2011|accessdate=25 December 2011}}</ref>

Revision as of 21:21, 25 December 2011

2011 Damascus bombings
LocationDamascus, Syria
Date23 December 2011 (UTC+3)
Attack type
Car bombs
Deaths44
Injured166

On 23 December 2011, two seemingly coordinated bombings occurred in the Syrian capital of Damascus. The alleged suicide car bombs exploded outside Syrian military intelligence agency buildings, killing 44 people and injuring 166. According to Syrian state media, most of the dead were civilians. The attacks took place during the 2011 Syrian uprising. The Syrian government blamed Islamist militants, while the Syrian opposition accused the government of staging the attacks to justify its crackdown on the uprising.

Background

On the same day as the attacks an Arab League team of observers arrived in Syria to monitor the government's activities and push towards a solution of the nine-month uprising against the regime. Officials from the visiting team later visited the sites of both explosions.[1] Government officials escorted the monitors to the scene of the explosions and re-iterated their longtime claims that the uprising is not a popular one but the work of terrorists.[2]

Bombings

The bombings happened in the Kfar Sousa district, south-west of Damascus city center. The state-owned news channel, al-Ikhbariya al-Suriya, said the first car bomb exploded outside the offices of an unspecified security agency.[3] When guards at a nearby General Security Directorate compound went to inspect the first blast, the driver of another vehicle rammed the main gates and detonated the bomb it was carrying.[3] According to a Syrian journalist who lives in Kfar Sousa, gunfire was heard immediately following the blasts and windows up to 200m (670ft) away were shattered.[3]

The blasts killed 44 people and injured 166.[4] Syrian state media reported that most of the casualties are civilians.[5]

Perpetrators

Government authorities blamed Islamist groups, with particular emphasis on al-Qaeda. A Foreign Ministry official told reporters that Lebanon had warned Syria that several militants entered the country through the town of Ersal near Baalbek. He also apparently confirmed the blasts were the work of suicide bombers.[6]

Syrian opposition leaders accused the government of staging the attacks to justify its crackdown on the uprising.[7] Former Lebanese prime minister Saad Hariri claimed the bombings were "engineered" by the Syrian regime.[8] The Free Syrian Army (FSA), the main anti-regime paramilitary group, denied responsibility and accused the government of perpetrating the attack to win sympathy from the Arab League and its observers, who had arrived just before the bombings.[9] Commentators noted that the FSA and other opposition groups in the 2011 uprising had not used suicide attacks before.[10] The Syrian National Council said "the Syrian regime, alone, bears all the direct responsibility for the two terrorist explosions", adding that the regime wanted to create the impression "that it faces danger coming from abroad and not a popular revolution demanding freedom and dignity".[4]

Canadian foreign minister John Baird dismissed claims that al-Qaeda were responsible.[11]

On 24 December, a website claiming to represent the Muslim Brotherhood (MB) posted a statement claiming responsibility for the attacks.[12] From 1976 to 1982, the MB had led an insurgency against the Syrian regime, but it had not been active in the 2011 uprising. However, the MB quickly denied making the statement.[12] Mohammed Tayfour—the Syrian MB's 'Deputy Guide'—told Al Arabiya television that Syrian intelligence created a fake MB website and published a fake statement.[12][13][14] He also said that, according to sources close to the Brotherhood, Syrian intelligence was behind the bombings.[15]

References

  1. ^ "Arab League team visit Damascus blast sites – TV". Reuters. 23 December 2011. Retrieved 23 December 2011.
  2. ^ Press, Associated. (2011-09-21) Syria: Twin Suicide Bombs Shake Capital, 30 Dead. Salon.com. Retrieved on 2011-12-24.
  3. ^ a b c "UN Security Council condemns Syria suicide attacks". BBC News. 24 December 2011. Retrieved 24 December 2011.
  4. ^ a b "Muslim Brotherhood denies Syria bombing claim". Agence France-Presse. 24 December 2011. Retrieved 24 December 2011.
  5. ^ "Forty killed, 100 wounded in Damascus blasts -TV". Reuters. 23 December 2011. Retrieved 23 December 2011.
  6. ^ "Lebanon warned Syria warned of al Qaeda infiltration". Reuters. 23 December 2011. Retrieved 23 December 2011.
  7. ^ Syria says twin suicide bombings in Damascus kill 44. Bbc.co.uk. 23 December 2011. Retrieved on 2011-12-24.
  8. ^ Syria: 'bomb attacks' in Damascus – Friday 23 December. Guardian. 23 December 2011. Retrieved on 2011-12-24.
  9. ^ Free Syrian Army Chief of Staff blames regime for twin blasts. Nowlebanon.com. 24 December 2011. Retrieved on 2011-12-24.
  10. ^ Analysis: Syria bombings signal deadlier phase of revolt. Reuters.com. 23 December 2011. Retrieved on 2011-12-24.
  11. ^ "Baird dismisses claim al-Qaida responsible for attacks". Vancouver Sun. 24 December 2011. Retrieved 25 December 2011.
  12. ^ a b c "Blast blame: Syria’s Muslim Brotherhood points finger at regime". RT.com. 25 December 2011. Retrieved 25 December 2011.
  13. ^ "Syria’s Muslim Brotherhood denies claiming responsibility for Damascus bombings". Al Arabiya. 24 December 2011. Retrieved 24 December 2011.
  14. ^ "Syrian Muslim Brotherhood denies claims of involvement in Damascus blasts". Now Lebanon. 24 December 2011. Retrieved 24 December 2011.
  15. ^ Breaking: Syrian Muslim Brotherhood claim of carrying out bombings 'fake'. English.ahram.org.eg. 24 December 2011. Retrieved on 2011-12-24.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=2011_Damascus_bombings&oldid=467667431"