At least 32 people were killed and over 100 wounded today when a suicide bomber targeted the Palace of Justice in the Syrian capital of Damascus. According to the Syrian state media, the death toll was overwhelmingly civilians.
This was followed up by a smaller suicide bombing in Damascus later in the day, targeting a restaurant. The has been no death toll reported from that bombing, but at least 28 more civilians were reported injured. It is unclear if the two were related.
There has been no claim of responsibility as of yet for either bomber, though Syrian officials blamed the rebels in general, saying they believed it was an attempt to retaliate against the government for recent gains on the ground across northern Syria.
There are a lot of rebel groups, however, and not all of them are linked. ISIS has carried out a lot of suicide attacks, though al-Qaeda’s Nusra Front has also claimed credit for some of the recent ones, and other Islamist factions unrelated to those two have also occasionally used such tactics.
There is such a confusion in reporting on Syria. For one there are no rebel groups that are not Salafi cults. Free Syria Army was always more concerned about Kurds and many groups are made of Turkmen. And their anti-Assad fervor was always based on the fact Damascus was often givingbin to Kurdish demands. But now, as majority of local stronmen have cut deals with Government — the reality is simpler. While ISIS is certainly alwasys a gp.ood candidate — these attrocities are all Al -Nusra. It is remarkable that Al_Nusra still has the support — both financial and military. Still talked off in heroic terms as “defenders” of Aleppo. Lies just do not die in Western capitals, they become myths, even if the rest of the world does not believe a word.
It has to be Al-Nusra — as they have either defunded other groups, or beat them out of existence. Now — they are trying to force their way into relevance at negotiating table. Which means, the Saudi committee has now this one and only hope to latch onto, and try to get a minister or two in the transition government.
Somehow, it may not work. They can only do acts ofvterror, as their ground is collapsing. But they do have hope. The more US spends time conferencing on ISIS, the more time ISIS has to gather forces at DeirvAzzor. It is transparent. And the more time Syria spends on ISIS front, the less resources itvwill have for containing Idlib. It is deceptively quiet on Manbij frontn– and nobody is really bothering ISIS too much in Syria. There will be an intra-planetary meeting on ISIS in Washington, with everyone NOT fighting it invited.
Saudi Arabia is the problem. They should be indicted for war crimes and crimes against humanity and terrorist supporters but won’t hold my breath.
Of course it is. And for a long time. But the services provided us are invaluable — Al-Qaeda, Taliban, and all assorted Salafi cults spinning of Wahhabi sect. And always so useful. It is true that the Kingdom is well protected and not much can be expected. Yet withvso much evil emanating from that place, there is no telling what might happen.
Let’s see if we can get together on some solid condemnation of Trump first. Than we can get to the Republican party too and not just the Dems.
Both parties are equally guilty as you will know but right now the R’s have some cover with Trump getting away with his bluff on US/Russia improved relations.
Like, some people actually think that the R’s are onside with that old campaign nonsense of being nice to Russia.
Ha! What a bunch of fu–ing patsies!