http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/5337458.stm

Quote :

"An attack on the US embassy in Damascus has been foiled by local security forces, Syrian officials say. At least three assailants tried to drive a car at the embassy compound but were killed by guards, officials and eyewitnesses said. Syrian TV said the attackers tried to detonate a car bomb, but failed. There are no reports of American casualties. Security forces have sealed off the Rawda area, which houses other embassies and security installations. Damascus has seen sporadic unrest in recent years, including a suspected attempt to bomb the Canadian embassy. "A terrorist operation targeted the US embassy. Security forces have brought the situation under control," said Interior Minister General Bassam Abdel Majid on state television. Witnesses said after the initial exchange of fire two of the attackers sought refuge in a nearby building, but were pursued and gunned down by security forces. TV footage from the scene showed pools of blood on the pavement and what appeared to be improvised explosive devices using pipes and gas canisters. A Chinese diplomat was treated in hospital for minor injuries caused by a stray bullet, the official Chinese news agency Xinhua reported. He had been standing on the roof of the Chinese embassy, which is situated close to the US compound. Heightened tension Syria is an authoritarian state where the security forces exert tight control on the population and the media. A BBC correspondent in the region says the reported attack comes at a time of heightened tensions between the Washington and Damascus, with bitterness in Syria over US support for Israeli military action in Lebanon. The US accuses Syria of supporting the insurgency in Iraq and not doing enough to prevent weapons going to Hezbollah militants in Lebanon. In June, four people died when Syrian security forces said they had foiled an attack by Islamist militants near the state-run television studios. In April 2004, four people were killed in a clash between Syrian police and a team of suspected bombers in the diplomatic quarter of Damascus. The authorities accused Islamist militants of trying to blow up an explosives-laden car near the Canadian embassy. "

gg Security forces in Syria. Do you think this will help or hurt Syria's image in the war on terror? On the one hand, a plot was foiled in Syria. On the other hand, I'm not sure if the security forces had anything to do with Syria, and its quite possible that these terrorists were Syrian.

Thoughts?

9/12/2006 7:05:38 AM

It could be good for the relationship between the US and Syria, since this event helps to draw a distinction between the government of Syria and the terrorists of Syria.

9/12/2006 8:17:38 AM

I think so as well. Do you know anything about the security forces for the embassies there though? This report referred to them as "local security forces" and I didn't know if they were public or private forces.

9/12/2006 8:19:57 AM

Government forces, I think. Other news articles refer to them as Syrian security forces.

9/12/2006 8:25:40 AM

.

[Edited on September 12, 2006 at 9:00 AM. Reason : weird sounding thread title]

9/12/2006 9:00:12 AM

^^^ There are technically three types of security forces that protect the Embassy itself (not including diplomatic security and ambo/dcm security details). One being the Marine Security Guard Detachment. Strictly speaking, they are responsible for security within the compound and most specifically the Chancery (the building that houses all classified materials and work areas).

The second is local police or paramilitary forces assigned by the host government to patrol the outer perimiter. They are generally posted incrementally around the outer wall of the embassy compound and are generally armed with a variety of small arms. They do not man and sentry posts or access points to the compound.

The last is a local guard force hired by the US government. These guys are hired, paid, and trained by the US Govt and are responsible for patrolling the outside the compound with the govt police, inside the compound (but not within the chancery), and manning all security posts at access points into the compound.

In all likelyhood, it was a combination of the last two types of local guards that engaged the attackers. They were likely being directed by the Marine on duty, with the rest of the Marines being brought in from whereever they were. Let me know if you need any clarification

[Edited on September 12, 2006 at 9:07 AM. Reason : ^]

9/12/2006 9:06:33 AM

^ that just sounds cool... i dont know why... haha...

9/12/2006 9:21:34 AM

Yeah, I guess it is pretty cool. Pretty cool unless you are one of the actual security guards (whether is be Marine or Local), the job would for the most part be mind numbingly boring. However, the Marine Security Guards have the best deal going in the Corps. All 'Marine Houses' are down right badass, they serve two tours in exotic locales, and more or less get to live like the locals (except for a few embassies).

9/12/2006 9:34:43 AM

Yea imagine guarding the embassy at places like Amsterdam or Switzerland, or maybe in places like Antigua or the Bahamas. That would be rough.

9/12/2006 9:44:19 AM

^ Yeah, it probably wouldn't be dificult and its guaranteed to be incredibly boring. But lets be honest, if you are selecting to go somewhere like that, you are going for the life outside of work. Just as those who select Iraq, Afghanistan, etc. go for the action during work.

9/13/2006 8:05:39 AM