"(Reuters) - Suicide bombers attacked a security compound on the edge of Syrian
capital Damascus overnight, in the latest assault by rebels against units loyal
to President Bashar al-Assad, insurgents said.
Al-Nusra, a militant Islamist group, claimed responsibility for the attack on
the Air Force Intelligence complex in the suburb of Harasta, saying officials
working there had played a major role in the government's crackdown on an
18-month-old revolt.
Residents and opposition activists told Reuters the attack set off huge
explosions and was followed by a gun battle. Video footage taken by activists,
which could not be independently verified, showed a large explosion.
"The decision was taken to hit Airforce Intelligence because it is one of the
most notorious security divisions, and a citadel of repression whose extent is
known only to God," said the statement from Al-Nusra, posted on
Facebook.
The Airforce Intelligence unit is commanded by Brigadier General Jamil
Hassan, one of Assad's top lieutenants, and is mostly made up of members of the
president's minority Alawite sect. There was no information on whether Hassan
was present during the attack...."
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