Syrian Defense Minister, Assad Brother-in-Law Killed in Blast

Syria's defense minister and Bashar al-Assad's powerful brother-in-law were killed in the suicide bombing of a cabinet meeting in Damascus Wednesday, and several other ministers were critically wounded. Laura Rozen reports that the Free Syrian Army claimed responsibility for the attack, which marks a dramatic new phase for the rebellion.
Syrian Defence Minister Daoud Rajha is seen in an undisclosed location in this undated file handout distributed by Syrian News Agency (SANA) on July 18,2012. Daoud Rajha was killed by a bomb which exploded during a meeting of ministers and security officials at a national security building in Damascus on July 18, 2012, state television said. REUTERS/Sana/Files (SYRIA - Tags: CIVIL UNREST MILITARY POLITICS CONFLICT OBITUARY) THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. IT IS DISTRIBUTED, EXACTLY AS RECEIV
Syrian Defense Minister Daoud Rajha is seen in an undated photo distributed by Syrian News Agency (SANA) on July 18, 2012. - REUTERS/Sana
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Laura Rozen
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Syrian Defense Minister General Daoud Rajha and Bashar al-Assad’s powerful brother-in-law were killed in the suicide bombing of a cabinet meeting in Damascus Wednesday, Syrian state TV reported.

“The Minister of Defense was martyred by the terrorist bombing that targeted the national-security building,” the State TV report said, according to the BBC.

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