Attacks on US Embassy in Damascus Foiled

By David Schenker

Reports today indicate that Syrian security forces foiled an attempted car bomb attack against the US Embassy in Damascus. At present, it’s unclear as to whether these reports are entirely true. Indeed, according to some eyewitness reports, four armed men attacked the embassy with automatic weapons and grenades, and one of the men blew himself up with an explosive belt, igniting a nearby car. Two of the remaining attackers were killed and one was injured and detained by Syrian authorities. Several Syrian civilians were wounded and three Syrian security officers were killed. No US embassy personnel were reported killed or wounded.

The Embassy in Damascus has almost no setback from the street, and is among the most vulnerable US diplomatic facilities in the region.

Syria under Bashar Asad is a world class authoritarian state—but internal security is not quite what is was during the tenure of Hafiz. Indeed, in April 2004, a firefight erupted in downtown Damascus between security forces and alleged Islamic militants associated with Al Qaida. Few details of the incident have emerged. If this attack was perpetrated by Islamists, however, it would be an ominous sign.

Then again, the US Embassy in Damascus has been a flashpoint for attacks and incidents in recent years, with the facilitation—if not the instigation—of the Syrian Government. In 1998, the embassy was stormed by protestors during Operation Desert Fox, overrunning the Ambassdor’s residence. Then Ambassador Ryan Crocker’s wife allegedly hid in the basement during the riot. In 2000 the Embassy was again assaulted by a mob under the watchful eyes of Syrian security.

The true details of what happened today in Damascus may never emerge. The Asad regime, of course, will look to exploit the security “success” to try and entice US and European engagement. Still, it’s important to note that this attack comes just one week after the attempted assassination in Lebanon of Lieutenant Colonel Samir Shehade, deputy chief of the intelligence department in Lebanon's national police force, responsible for the investigation into the killing of former Lebanese PM Rafiq Hariri. The Syrians have been implicated in the Hariri assassination—and are likely involved in the Shehade business as well.

In terms of context, though, the key point is that if this attack was indeed perpetrated by Islamists, it is the direct result of the double game being played by the Asad regime. The regime supports Sunni and Shiite Islamist militants in Lebanon, Palestinian Authority, and Iraq, and in the past has not acted against terrorists entering Jordan. Syria no longer cooperates with the US on Al Qaida, either. Given the regime’s friendly disposition toward terrorists, it would be no surprise if some unauthorized terrorist organizations were setting up shop in Damascus.

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