Syria's Defense Minister And Assad's Brother In Law Killed In A Suicide Attack In Damascus

Syrian Defense Minister Daoud Rajha attends a dinner in honor of army officers in Damascus,August 1, 2010. VOA

Assad's Brother-In-Law And Top Syrian Officials Killed In Damascus Suicide Bomb -- The Telegraph

President Bashar al-Assad's brother-in-law and the Syrian defence minister have been killed in a bombing that struck at the heart of the country's security establishment.

State TV said President Assad's brother-in-law, Assef Shawkat, and Gen Dawoud Rajha, the defence minister were victims of a blast during a high level security meeting. The Interior minister was also injured.

Gen Shawkat was the deputy defense minister and was among the most feared figures in Assad's inner circle. He is married to Assad's elder sister, Bushra.

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More News On The Deaths Of Key Syrian Defense Officials By A Suicide Attack In Damascus

Syria crisis: Assad's brother-in-law killed, says state TV - live updates -- The Guardian
Syria Live Blog -- AL Jazeera

Blast Kills Elite in Assad’s Tight Circle -- New York Times
Syrian defense minister killed in Damascus blast, as fighting comes within sight of Assad's palace -- Haaretz
Damascus blast kills Syrian defence minister -- Al Jazeera
Blast kills Syrian defense minister, Assad's brother-in-law -- Jerusalem Post/Reuters
Syria Defense Minister Killed in Damascus Blast -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Syrian president’s brother-in-law killed in suicide blast in Damascus, state media say -- Washington Post/AP
Assad's Brother-in-Law Killed in Damascus Blast -- Wall Street Journal
Suicide Bombing Kills Syrian Defense Minister -- Voice of America
Syrian officials killed by bomb -- Sydney Morning Herald
Syria Defense Minister Gen. Dawoud Rajha reportedly killed in explosion in Damascus -- CBS News
State TV: Syrian defense minister killed in suicide blast -- MSNBC
Syria defence minister General Daoud Rajha killed in suicide bomb attack: state TV -- The Australian/AFP
Damascus bomber was bodyguard for Assad's inner circle - Syrian security source -- Reuters

My Comment: This is a serious blow to the Assad regime in Syria. Key defense and security officials have been killed or wounded .... including Assad family members.