Here is a blog reflecting my initial response.
Terror in Syria?
- Profiles in terror blog
The instinctive first response to yesterday's strange attacks on an abandoned UN building in Damascus is that it was a set-up by the Syrian regime. This suspicion was reinforced by this report from the Israeli daily Ha'aretz which cites Dr. Fawzi al-Shueibi, head of the Institute for Strategic Studies in Damascus and a confident of Syrian President Bashar Assad. In an interview with Al-Jazeera, according to the article, "Al-Shueibi said they were planning a terrorist attack but that they had no specific target."
A random, poorly planned attack on an empty building - sounds just like al-Qaeda doesn't it?
Certainly, al-Qaeda has some cause to attack Syria which has brutally oppressed the Muslim Brotherhood - most notably at Hama where at least 10,000 people were killed in 1982 by the Syrian military. But according to many reports Syria is at least allowing, if not actively supporting, the transfer of money and personnel to support jihadist activity in Iraq. The people and funds for the recent attempted mega-attack in Jordan passed through Syria. Wouldn't annoying the Syrian regime be a bit counter-productive for al-Qaeda when the real fight is in Iraq?
It would be in Syria's interest to portray itself as a victim of terrorism. It might reduce some of the scrutiny of Syria's own activity supporting terror. Then Syria could engage in its best diplomatic tactic - obfuscate, obfuscate, obfuscate.
Logically, it should not matter. So Syria is a victim of terror. That does not change the fact that they are one of the lead sponsors of terror. When Syria completely rolls up Hezbollah, Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and all of the Fronts for the Liberation of Palestine (there are at least 4) then they can apply for sympathy and aid in fighting terror. Not before. |
