-
Damascus woke up today on the sounds of two massive blasts in Kafar Souseh, an area described as the security center of the capital. One of the blasts targeted the
General Directorate of Intelligence, and the other one targeted a military intelligence complex called Fere’a Al-Manteqa (region branch). Explosions were heard in all areas of Damascus, within 10 km radius, windows’ glasses broke in the area around. Explosions were followed by intensive gunfire. -
I woke up on those two explosions. I thought the first explosion in the neighborhood, as usual on Friday morning, although it was very powerful that my bed and window glass were shaken. I rushed to my laptop to report it on twitter, and I discovered that the explosions were heard all over Damascus, not just in my neighborhood.
-
Many other people on twitter reported the twin blasts too. Some of them were very close to the scene, like this eyewitness, who described the blasts as “an act”, and the reaction (gunfire) as ”stupid”.
-
Syria’s state TV claimed after 15 minute that Al-Qaeda is behind the two blasts, according to the initial investigations. Also added, two terrorist executed the twin blasts, using two car bombs. And according to them again, Lebanese security sources told Syria, two days ago, that terrorists sneaked from Lebanon. So the two terrorists took only two days to put a plan to bomb the biggest, the most protective, the most secure two security complexes in Syria and executed it. The first explosion targeted a military intelligence complex called Fere’a Al-Manteqa (region branch), which is located in 6 May street. The street contains only security buildings, at both sides. The street was closed by security at 1:30 am, before exactly nine hours, according to eyewitnesses. The blast was followed by heavy gunfire. The area isn’t a residential one, it contains many military and security buildings, and governmental buildings as well. The second one targeted the General Directorate of Intelligence, only 2km from the first one. This is a map shows the locations of the two blasts: link
-
This is a picture from the first location:
-
صورة لمقر فرع الأمن العسكري في شارع الكارلتون بعد التفجير #Syria #Damascus http://pic.twitter.com/FY8N0lyU -
Syrian regime’s hands can be seen in those two explosions. First, Syrian FM Walid Al-Mo’alem said days ago, any terrorist act in front of the Arab observers won’t embarrass Syria but rather side, and that it would lend credibility to the fact that there are armed terrorist groups that nobody want to acknowledge. Second, and after only 15 minute, Syrian intelligence discovered that Al Qaeda is behind the twin blasts, in the fastest investigation ever. Al Qaeda hasn’t claimed responsibility, yet. Moreover, the two complexes are located in the most secured area of Damascus. The two complexes look like castles, rather than complexes. Huge walls, armored gates, rising security barriers, bollards, rising kerbs & ramps. Guards are all over the area, watchmen are in their positions 24/7. Getting near these complexes with two car bombs is almost impossible, and we shouldn’t forget closing 6 May street 9 hours before the first blast. Many activists reported from inside sources that many security and military personnel were asked to stay home today in both complexes.
-
“FSA: “the area that has witnessed an explosion in #Damascus can not be infiltrated by an Ant let alone a rigged vehicle” #Syria
-
“I would say the complex in question is the best guarded in the city: 3 mtr walls, chain barriers, trees & armed guards, anti-tank barriers.
-
Syrian regime is the only party that benefits from these blasts. They think the theory of the armed terrorist gangs has been proven, and all their military/security operations were to protect civilians from these attacks. Security took the delegation of Arab observers to the scene nearly an hour after. Syrian state TV broadcasted extremely graphic footage from the two locations, while many Arab channels like Al-Jazeera and Al-Arabia were being scrambled heavily.
-
Many activists strongly believe that Syrian regime’s main goal behind these blasts is to eliminate number of detainees, probably activists, were arrested by security in the past few months. These two complexes are reportedly full of detainees. One thing to mention at last; Assad’s supporters rallied in a major square in the capital, Damascus, few hours after, and only 3-4 Kilometers from the attacks.
-
“Addounia: Minister of Interior: Final casualties count from today’s terrorist acts: 44 dead and 166 injured, mostly civilians. #Syria
Damascus’ Twin Blasts
23 Friday Dec 2011
Posted in Report
Brilliant as usual Ameer.
I have two comments, first in regards to the context of your article.
As Mark Antony in William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar said:
” Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears.”
I say: “Friends, Family, Min7abakji Syrians, lend me your BRAINS.”
Most of the time the truth is so bright and clear that it does not need explanations or evidence to prove it rather people do not see it not because their vision is obstructed but because they have lent their BRAINS or have cheaply sold it to someone else to play with it, manipulate it think and fabricate the truth on their behalf.
Those kinds of people fall in three categories. The first kind is the Benefit-er, who is advantaged financially, socially or occupationally from lending his Brains. The second type is the Dumb, who lends his Brains because he does not know any better. The third kind is the Stupid, who knows better and does it anyway.
My problem is not with the first two types but with the third one. He knows better and does not benefit in any possible way but goes ahead and gives his brains and intellectualism FREELY away and in the process gives his dignity and humanity away.
I have been thinking about the third type for some time to try to come out with an explanation or a reason to why he acts the way he does .. and still could not find the answer.
So, as long as those kind of people exist in any society rest assure Politicians and Media Channels who manipulate and distort the truth and keep on degrading and humiliating our brains would still exist.
My second comment is in regards to your writing style. I was impressed.
Masha Allah you seem to poses a talent that you should work on to improve and maybe, just maybe you have stepped on you future occupation as an Investigation Journalist.
The way you describe the event from you point of view then turn on to eyewitness accounts to describe what happened and the way you integrated photos of the scene, definitions of some terms and used twitter as a live source were really brilliant.
I really enjoyed reading it. Keep up the good work and excuse my lengthy comment as usual.
check this out, first the dictator regime says Qaida did it, which by the way ofcourse always proudly announces what it did and why , so when it does not do that, it means it was not behind it, then the regime say muslim brothers did it, and they show a false site (cheap old internet trick where they use “-” in a similar name, but the stupid creator forgot to hide his personal data (http://www.whois.net/whois/ikhwan-sy.com) so this false site was created just in november and not years ago like the real opposition site (http://www.ikhwansyria.com)) and is not banned in Syria so u do not need a proxy to see it (like with all other (real) opposition sites), and the creator (check facebook account with that email (http://www.facebook.com/emile.kasnasrallah)) is a pro-regime guy using religion to fool ppl into not uprising against the regime (he is son of a priest and working with very pro-regime religious muslim leader Hassoun, ofcourse now that the news r out he did shut his false site down, only saying on his facebook that he will “soon” explain..cause,wel… he got no explanation right now, well.. yeah I bet he does’nt!