Syria’s defense minister and deputy defense minister were killed in a blast on Wednesday at a national security building in Damascus, according to state media. The deaths bring the bloodshed in Syria directly into President Bashar al-Assad’s inner circle and could mark a pivotal moment in what the Red Cross calls a civil war in Syria.
Rebels in Syria reportedly claim responsibility for the blast that killed Defense Minister Dawood Rajiha and Deputy Minister Assef Shawkat, who is al-Assad’s brother-in-law. According to state TV, the explosion occurred during a meeting of ministers and security officials. An analyst with the think tank Chatham House, Rime Allaf, said the reports could suggest that “the regime itself is crumbling.” Anthony Skinner, an analyst with Maplecroft, said the explosion represents “a massive psychological blow to the regime” and will hasten al-Assad’s “demise.” The men were the highest-ranking officials killed in the Syrian uprising.
