Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08DAMASCUS677
2008-09-27 11:03:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Damascus
Cable title:
CAR BOMB EXPLODES IN GREATER DAMASCUS AREA -
how-toVZCZCXRO3113 OO RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK RUEHROV DE RUEHDM #0677 2711103 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 271103Z SEP 08 FM AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5398 INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEAWJA/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHDC IMMEDIATE RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEAHLC/HOMELAND SECURITY CENTER WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHDC IMMEDIATE
C O N F I D E N T I A L DAMASCUS 000677
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/FO AND NEA/ELA
NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/MCDERMOTT
PARIS FOR WALLER
LONDON FOR TSOU
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/27/2018
TAGS: PTER PREL ASEC SY
SUBJECT: CAR BOMB EXPLODES IN GREATER DAMASCUS AREA -
REGIME ELEMENTS LIKELY TARGETED
Classified By: CDA Maura Connelly for reasons 1.5 b and d.
C O N F I D E N T I A L DAMASCUS 000677
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/FO AND NEA/ELA
NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/MCDERMOTT
PARIS FOR WALLER
LONDON FOR TSOU
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/27/2018
TAGS: PTER PREL ASEC SY
SUBJECT: CAR BOMB EXPLODES IN GREATER DAMASCUS AREA -
REGIME ELEMENTS LIKELY TARGETED
Classified By: CDA Maura Connelly for reasons 1.5 b and d.
1. (C) On September 27 at roughly 0745 Damascus time (0045
EST) a car bomb exploded on the main road connecting Damascus
to surrounding suburbs and the Damascus International
Airport, located approximately 5kms (3 miles) from the
Embassy. Syrian and Western press have reported 17 deaths
and 14 injuries associated with this blast. Post cannot
confirm the reported tally at this time, nor can we confirm
reports suggesting 200kgs (440 pounds) of explosives were
used in the attack. ARSO observed a heavily guarded blast
site, located near offices of the Palestine Branch and the
Patrols Branch of the Syrian Military Intelligence (SMI),
suggesting Syrian intelligence services may have been the
intended targeted of the attack.
2. (C) All American Embassy personnel and their families have
been accounted for at this time. A list of the dead and
injured, along with associated nationalities, has yet to be
released. Post convened an EAC meeting this morning (cable
to follow) and will continue to monitor developments as they
unfold.
3. (C) Comment: The SARG has not seen such a direct,
large-scale attack on its personnel and facilities since the
uprising of the Muslim Brotherhood in the early 1980s and we
are therefore likely to see a robust security service
response in the coming days. Given the strained bilateral
relations between the U.S. and the SARG accurate details on
the nature of the attack, potential follow-on attacks and the
SARG's response, are likely to remain elusive. End Comment.
CONNELLY
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/FO AND NEA/ELA
NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/MCDERMOTT
PARIS FOR WALLER
LONDON FOR TSOU
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/27/2018
TAGS: PTER PREL ASEC SY
SUBJECT: CAR BOMB EXPLODES IN GREATER DAMASCUS AREA -
REGIME ELEMENTS LIKELY TARGETED
Classified By: CDA Maura Connelly for reasons 1.5 b and d.
1. (C) On September 27 at roughly 0745 Damascus time (0045
EST) a car bomb exploded on the main road connecting Damascus
to surrounding suburbs and the Damascus International
Airport, located approximately 5kms (3 miles) from the
Embassy. Syrian and Western press have reported 17 deaths
and 14 injuries associated with this blast. Post cannot
confirm the reported tally at this time, nor can we confirm
reports suggesting 200kgs (440 pounds) of explosives were
used in the attack. ARSO observed a heavily guarded blast
site, located near offices of the Palestine Branch and the
Patrols Branch of the Syrian Military Intelligence (SMI),
suggesting Syrian intelligence services may have been the
intended targeted of the attack.
2. (C) All American Embassy personnel and their families have
been accounted for at this time. A list of the dead and
injured, along with associated nationalities, has yet to be
released. Post convened an EAC meeting this morning (cable
to follow) and will continue to monitor developments as they
unfold.
3. (C) Comment: The SARG has not seen such a direct,
large-scale attack on its personnel and facilities since the
uprising of the Muslim Brotherhood in the early 1980s and we
are therefore likely to see a robust security service
response in the coming days. Given the strained bilateral
relations between the U.S. and the SARG accurate details on
the nature of the attack, potential follow-on attacks and the
SARG's response, are likely to remain elusive. End Comment.
CONNELLY