18 July 2012 Damascus bombing

Bombing in Damascus March 2025 18 July 2012 Damascus bombing the 2012 Battle of Damascus during the Syrian Civil War Syria 250 right Rawda Square right 33.514167 36.278611 Rawda Square, Damascus, Syria Syrian president Bashar al-Assad and his Cabinet membersBlomfield Adrian Syria: Assad 'facing the end' after Damascus bomb attacks https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/9410184/Syria-Assad-facing-the-end-after-Damascus-bomb-attacks.html 18 July 2012 The Telegraph 18 July 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120719052556/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/9410184/Syria-Assad-facing-the-end-after-Damascus-bomb-attacks.html 19 July 2012 dead 33 30 51 N 36 16 43 E type:event inline,title yes 2012 07 18 Assassination At least 4Syria blast strikes at heart of Assad's rule https://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/07/20127189355415804.html Al Jazeera 18 July 2012 19 July 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120718202720/http://www.aljazeera.com//news/middleeast/2012/07/20127189355415804.html 18 July 2012 live At least 4 Undetermined The 18 July 2012 Damascus bombing, widely known as the "Crisis Cell" bombing,https://hawarnews.com/en/14-years-later-damascus-crisis-cell-bombing-remains-unsolved 14 Years later, Damascus Crisis Cell bombing remains unsolved 18 July 2026 ANHA of the National Security headquarters in Rawda Square, Damascus, killed and injured a number of top military and security officials of the Syrian government. Among the dead were the Syrian defense ministerSyria's defense minister killed in Damascus suicide bombing: State TV http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/07/18/227035.html Al Arabiya 18 July 2012 19 July 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120719080452/http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/07/18/227035.html 19 July 2012 dead and deputy defense minister.Syrian TV confirms Assef Shawkat was killed in bombing http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4257338,00.html Ynetnews 18 July 2012 19 July 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20131216190439/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4257338,00.html 16 December 2013 live The bombing occurred during the Syrian civil war, and is considered to be one of the most notorious events to affect the conflict. Syrian state-controlled television reported that it was a suicide attack while the opposition claimed it was a remotely detonated bomb. The bombing remains unsolved. Bombing The attack, during a meeting of the Central Crisis Management Cell comprising ministers and a number of heads of security agencies, resulted in the death of the Syrian Defense Minister General Dawoud Rajiha. Also killed were Assef Shawkat, president Bashar al-Assad's brother-in-law and deputy defense minister, the assistant to the vice president General Hasan Turkmani,Profiles of Syria officials Asef Shawkat, Daoud Rajiha and Hassan Turkomani https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-18889030 BBC News 18 July 2012 19 July 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120718185402/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-18889030 18 July 2012 live and Hafez Makhlouf, head of investigations at the Syrian Intelligence Agency.Bomb kills Syria defense minister, Assad's brother-in-law and key aides http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/07/18/227035.html Al Arabiya 18 July 2012 19 July 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120719080452/http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/07/18/227035.html 19 July 2012 dead However, Hafez Makhlouf was also reported to be wounded.Jansen Michael Syrian bombing: Key regime figures killed in attack http://m.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2012/0719/1224320381809.html?via=frontpage 20 July 2012 The Irish Times 19 July 2012 3 December 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211203003541/https://m.irishtimes.com/holding.html?via=frontpage live The country's intelligence and national security chief4th member of Assad regime, Syria security chief Gen. Hisham Ikhtiyar, dies after Damascus bombing https://www.cbsnews.com/news/4th-member-of-assad-regime-syria-security-chief-gen-hisham-ikhtiyar-dies-after-damascus-bombing/ 21 July 2012 CBS News 20 July 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120721084328/http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-202_162-57476393/4th-member-of-assad-regime-syria-security-chief-gen-hisham-ikhtiyar-dies-after-damascus-bombing/ 21 July 2012 live Hisham Ikhtiyar was seriously wounded.Syrian defense minister killed in Damascus blast, as fighting comes within sight of Assad's palace https://www.haaretz.com/news/middle-east/syrian-defense-minister-killed-in-damascus-blast-as-fighting-comes-within-sight-of-assad-s-palace-1.451946 Haaretz 18 July 2012 19 July 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120719052706/http://www.haaretz.com/news/middle-east/syrian-defense-minister-killed-in-damascus-blast-as-fighting-comes-within-sight-of-assad-s-palace-1.451946 19 July 2012 dead There were conflicting reports regarding the Interior minister Mohammad al-Shaar with initial accounts stating that he had been killed, but later state TV reported that he had survived although wounded.Weiss Michael 18 July 2012 The End of the Political Solution https://foreignpolicy.com/articles/2012/07/18/the_end_of_the_political_solution FP 19 July 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120719014331/http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2012/07/18/the_end_of_the_political_solution 19 July 2012 live Additional reports stated that he was in stable condition.https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/Assads-top-three-aides-killed-in-blast/articleshow/15038142.cms Assad's top three aides killed in blast 19 July 2012 19 July 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20130518001818/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-07-19/middle-east/32746336_1_assad-state-tv-suicide-blast 18 May 2013 The Times of India live Al-Shaar was reported dead later, according to Al Jazeera.Damascus blast 'kills' top Assad officials https://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/07/20127189355415804.html Al Jazeera 19 July 2012 19 July 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120718202720/http://www.aljazeera.com//news/middleeast/2012/07/20127189355415804.html 18 July 2012 live Mohammed Saeed Bekheitan, the national secretary of the Ba'ath Party, was also wounded in the bombing.El Basha Thomas Suicide attack kills Assad's brother-in-law, two top generals http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2012/Jul-18/181002-suicide-bomber-targets-damascus-security-building-syria-tv.ashx#axzz2114QzivD 19 July 2012 The Daily Star 19 July 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120719060536/http://dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2012/Jul-18/181002-suicide-bomber-targets-damascus-security-building-syria-tv.ashx#axzz2114QzivD 19 July 2012 live On 20 July 2012, the death of Hisham Ikhtiyar was confirmed by Syrian authorities.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-18920733 Syria blast: Security chief Ikhtiar dies from wounds BBC News 20 July 2012 20 July 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120720115207/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-18920733 20 July 2012 live Victims General Dawoud Rajiha – Defense Minister – confirmed dead. General Assef Shawkat – President Bashar al-Assad's brother-in-law and Deputy Defense Minister – confirmed dead. General Hasan Turkmani – Assistant to the Vice President Farouk al-Sharaa and former Defense Minister – confirmed dead. General Hisham Ikhtiyar – Director of the National Security Bureau – confirmed dead. General Maher al-Assad – President Bashar al-Assad's younger brother and the commander of the Republican Guard – wounded, reports of him losing a leg.Syria: Bashar al-Assad's brother Maher 'loses leg' https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/9480363/Syria-Bashar-al-Assads-brother-Maher-loses-leg.html The Telegraph 16 August 2012 16 August 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120816181059/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/9480363/Syria-Bashar-al-Assads-brother-Maher-loses-leg.html 16 August 2012 liveAssad's feared brother lost leg in bomb attack: sources https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-crisis-idUSBRE8610SH20120816 Reuters 16 August 2012 16 August 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120816084800/http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/08/16/us-syria-crisis-idUSBRE8610SH20120816 16 August 2012 live Colonel Hafez Makhlouf – President Bashar al-Assad's cousin and head of investigations at the General Security Directorate – wounded General Mohammad al-Shaar – Interior Minister – wounded General Mohammed Saeed Bekheitan – Assistant National Secretary of the Ba'ath Party and former chief of the National Security Bureau – wounded Perpetrators The bomber was reportedly a bodyguard of one of the meeting's participants.Damascus bomber was bodyguard for Assad's inner circle: Syrian security source https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-crisis-bomber-idUSBRE86H0G620120718 Reuters 18 July 2012 18 July 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20130214130735/http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/07/18/us-syria-crisis-bomber-idUSBRE86H0G620120718 14 February 2013 live The opposition, meanwhile, claimed that the cause of the explosion was not a suicide bomber, but a rebel insider who planted a bomb inside the building and detonated it remotely from a distant location.Reals Tucker 18 July 2012 Syria Defense Minister Gen. Dawoud Rajha killed in explosion in Damascus http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-202_162-57474510/syria-defense-minister-gen-dawoud-rajha-reportedly-killed-in-explosion-in-damascus/ CBS News 18 July 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120719041009/http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-202_162-57474510/syria-defense-minister-gen-dawoud-rajha-reportedly-killed-in-explosion-in-damascus/ 19 July 2012 dead Another report said that the bomb was hidden in the briefcase of Syrian Interior Minister Mohammad al-Shaar, who was injured in the blast.How Assad Staged Al Qaeda Bombings https://web.archive.org/web/20161207204543/http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/12/02/how-assad-staged-al-qaeda-bombings.html 7 December 2016 The Daily Beast The Salafist Liwa al-Islam ("Brigade of Islam")Syria blast strikes at heart of Assad's rule https://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/07/20127189355415804.html 18 July 2012 Al Jazeera 18 July 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120718202720/http://www.aljazeera.com//news/middleeast/2012/07/20127189355415804.html 18 July 2012 live and the Free Syrian Army both claimed responsibility for the bombing.Cutler David Factbox: Fighting in Syria's capital Damascus http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-rt-us-syria-crisis-damascus-killingsbre86h12q-20120718,0,5691151.story 18 July 2012 Chicago Tribune 18 July 2012 https://archive.today/20130119024221/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-07-18/business/sns-rt-us-syria-crisis-damascus-killingsbre86h12q-20120718_1_damascus-syrian-free-army-qaeda 19 January 2013 dead Louay Almokdad, the Free Syrian Army's logistical coordinator, claimed that the attack was perpetrated by a group of Free Syrian Army members in coordination with drivers and bodyguards working for Assad's high-ranking officials. It was further stated that the two explosive devices, one made of 25 pounds of TNT, and the other a smaller C-4 plastic-explosive device, had been put in the room days before the meeting by a person working for Hisham Ikhtiyar. According to a 2016 Daily Beast article, former Syrian general Mohamad Khalouf claimed Iran and Assad were actually responsible for the bombing. Khalouf said that the officials killed were more moderate members of the regime whom Iran wanted removed. Bassam Barabandi, a former Syrian diplomat, also blamed Iran. The same Daily Beast article also quoted Syrian intelligence sources that said Assad believed the dead officials were planning a coup against him, and that all investigations into the bombing were blocked. Former US ambassador Robert Stephen Ford said of the bombing, "I don't think we know how it was done." Reaction Domestic Although there were no statements from President Assad himself, Syrian TV said after the attack that a decree from him named Gen. Fahd Jassem al-Freij, who used to be the army chief of staff, as the new defense minister.https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jaMDslAuWFOCZ20z4eSQz8fw4hpw?docId=bf5da986da3b47249a8531d948e2bd95 Rebel bombing strikes at heart of Syrian regime 19 July 2012 Associated Press 17 July 2012June 2024 medicmedic Syrian state television said foreign-backed terrorists had carried out the attack. The country's armed forces said in a statement that Syria was "determined to confront all forms of terrorism and chop off any hand that harms national security".https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/jul/18/syria-rebels-kill-elite-damascus Syria rebels kill top chiefs of Assad regime in Damascus bomb strike 19 July 2012 The Guardian 18 July 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20141109152914/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/jul/18/syria-rebels-kill-elite-damascus 9 November 2014 live On 19 July 2012, Syrian state television broadcast images of President Assad at the Presidential Palace in Damascus, cutting short speculation fueled by his silence following the attack against his inner circle the previous day. In the images broadcast by the television, Assad was seen in blue suit, receiving the new defense minister, Fahd Jassem al-Freij, after the swearing ceremony.http://www.albawaba.com/news/assad-appears-damascus-russia-china-veto-un-resolution-434717 Assad appears in Damascus as Russia, China veto UN resolution 19 July 2012 Albawaba 19 July 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120720051925/http://www.albawaba.com/news/assad-appears-damascus-russia-china-veto-un-resolution-434717 20 July 2012 live According to Israeli newspaper Haaretz, the state TV announcement appeared aimed at sending the message that Assad is alive, well and still firmly in charge. It said Assad wished the new defense minister good luck but it did not say where the swearing-in took place. Nor did it show any photos or video of the ceremony, as it usually would.https://www.haaretz.com/news/middle-east/syria-tv-assad-swears-in-new-defense-minister-in-first-sighting-since-attack-1.452288 Syria TV: Assad swears in new defense minister in first sighting since attack 19 July 2012 Haaretz 19 July 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120720043925/http://www.haaretz.com/news/middle-east/syria-tv-assad-swears-in-new-defense-minister-in-first-sighting-since-attack-1.452288 20 July 2012 dead International Iran – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the bombing, adding that "the only way of resolving the current crisis in Syria is through talks."Iran condemns Damascus bombing, says talks needed https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-bombing-iran-idUSBRE86H0WV20120718 Reuters 18 July 2012 18 July 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120720231435/http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/07/18/us-syria-bombing-iran-idUSBRE86H0WV20120718 20 July 2012 live Iranian ambassador claimed that the bombing had been a work of foreign intelligence agencies and ruled out the possibility of FSA being able to carry out such operation.http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/tr/security/01/07/iranian-ambassador-to-as-safir-t.html Iranian Ambassador Blames Foreign Forces for Syria Blast 2012-07-20 2015-03-18 https://web.archive.org/web/20150402154636/http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/tr/security/01/07/iranian-ambassador-to-as-safir-t.html 2 April 2015 live Israel – Defense Minister Ehud Barak urgently summoned intelligence and security officials to discuss possible implications of the rapidly deteriorating situation in Syria. They included Chief of the General Staff of the IDF Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz and heads of the Northern Command, Military Intelligence Department, the Planning Directorate and the various IDF branches.Assad's top four men killed by hidden bomb. Urgent consultations in Washingtoadnann, Jerusalem http://www.debka.com/article/22187/Assad%27s-top-four-men-killed-by-hidden-bomb-Urgent-consultations-in-Washington-Jerusalem 18 July 2012 19 July 2012April 2019 InternetArchiveBot yes Jordan – King Abdullah II stated that this assassination of members of Assad's inner circle is a "tremendous blow to the regime."Jordan's king calls Syria attack 'a tremendous blow' to al-Assad regime https://www.cnn.com/2012/07/18/world/meast/syria-reaction-king-abdullah/ 18 July 2012 CNN 18 July 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20130514035158/http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/18/world/meast/syria-reaction-king-abdullah 14 May 2013 live Lebanon – Lebanese foreign minister Adnan Mansour condemned the Damascus bombing.Berri Condemns Damascus Bombing: This Terrorist Act is Aimed at Fragmenting Syrian Army http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/47110 21 July 2012 Naharnet 19 July 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120723233145/http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/47110 23 July 2012 live Russia – Press secretary of Russian president Vladimir Putin, Dmitry Peskov, said "As a whole the existing exchange of opinions shows that the appraisals of the situation in Syria and final goals of regulating (violence) for both sides coincide".US warns Syria is 'spinning out of control' https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/9410143/US-warns-Syria-is-spinning-out-of-control.html 19 July 2012 The Telegraph 18 July 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120719050653/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/9410143/US-warns-Syria-is-spinning-out-of-control.html 19 July 2012 live South Africa – South Africa strongly condemned the attack and stated that it is opposed to all forms of terrorism and violence.Oluwarotimi Oluwaseun South Africa Clarifies Position on Syria http://allafrica.com/stories/201207200595.html All Africa 20 July 2012 19 July 2012 Turkey – Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan reacted negatively to Syria's explanation of the event.Şam'da çatışmalar devam ediyor https://www.bbc.com/turkce/haberler/2012/07/120719_syria_fresh_clashes 19 July 2012 BBC Turkish tr 19 July 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120720213632/http://www.bbc.co.uk/turkce/haberler/2012/07/120719_syria_fresh_clashes.shtml 20 July 2012 live United Kingdom – Prime Minister David Cameron said that Assad should step down and added "It is time for the United Nations Security Council to Pass clear and tough messages about sanctions, I believe under Chapter 7 of the U.N., and be unambiguous about it."http://www.newsday.com/news/world/british-pm-says-assad-must-step-down-1.3847145 British PM says Assad must step down Newsday 21 July 2012May 2026 medicmedic Foreign Secretary William Hague said that the "incident, which we condemn, confirms the urgent need for a chapter VII resolution of the UN Security Council on Syria."Glaze Ben 18 July 2012 William Hague condemns Syria bombing https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/politics/william-hague-condemns-syria-bombing-7956577.html The Independent 18 July 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120718174219/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/politics/william-hague-condemns-syria-bombing-7956577.html 18 July 2012 live United States – Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said that the country was "rapidly spinning out of control", adding that "the international community must bring maximum pressure on Assad to do what's right, to step down and to allow for that peaceful transition". Venezuela – The Foreign Ministry condemned the bombing in Damascus and urged foreign powers against military intervention.Venezuela condemns Syria bombing, warns against intervention http://in.reuters.com/article/syria-bombing-venezuela-idINL2E8IJ0YB20120719 19 July 2012 Reuters 19 July 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120721195658/http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/07/19/syria-bombing-venezuela-idINL2E8IJ0YB20120719 21 July 2012 dead United Nations – UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has strongly condemned the attack and reminded that "acts of violence committed by any party are unacceptable and a clear violation of the six-point plan".Secretary-General, alarmed by the intensifying violence in Syria, strongly condemns today's bomb attack at the National Security Headquarters in Damascus https://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2012/sgsm14418.doc.htm Department of Public Information (United Nations) – press release 18 July 2012 19 July 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20131019215450/http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2012/sgsm14418.doc.htm 19 October 2013 live See also List of bombings during the Syrian Civil War References 30em Category:2012 building bombings Category:Terrorist incidents in Damascus during the Syrian civil war Category:Terrorist incidents in Syria in 2012 Category:Terrorist incidents by unknown perpetrators Category:2012 in the Syrian civil war Category:July 2012 in Syria Category:Building bombings in Damascus Category:Failed assassination attempts in Asia Category:2012 in politics Category:Attacks on military installations in 2012 Category:2012 mass murders Category:21st-century mass murders in Syria Category:2012 murders in Syria Category:Mass murders in Damascus Category:July 2012 crimes in Asia Category:Attacks on military installations in Syria