Syrian official: Israel aided assassination

ISRAEL-EGYPT BORDER – The rebel bomb attack that killed Syrian defense officials today was aided by Israel, a top Syrian official claimed to WND.

Israel gave satellite imagery to the rebels who carried out the attack, charged the official, who spoke with WND on condition of anonymity.

The official said President Assad – whose brother-in-law was killed in the bombing along Syria's defense minister – is debating whether to issue a press release blaming Israel for assisting in the attack.

The Syrian official who spoke to WND admitted the defense minister, Gen. Dawoud Rajha, was the key official behind the installation of Syria's missile system, which has been aided by Iran.

Syrian state TV said Rajha and President Assad's brother-in-law, Deputy Defense Minister Gen. Assef Shawkat, were killed in a blast during a high level security meeting in Damascus. Syria's interior minister also was injured.

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Shawkat is married to Assad's elder sister, Bushra.

Reports called the attack a suicide bombing, but other reports said a device was placed within the building.

A rebel group called Liwa al-Islam, or "The Brigade of Islam," claimed responsibility in a post on Facebook, stating it "targeted the cell called the crisis control room in the capital of Damascus."

The Free Syrian Army also claimed responsibility for the attack, according to spokesman Qassim Saadedine.

"This is the volcano we talked about, we have just started," he said.