Defections Point to Weakening of Assad as Rebels Change Tactics in New Phase of Damascus Violence

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Syrian ministers killed in Damascus blast

AFP – A suicide attack Wednesday which struck at the heart of Syria’s security apparatus killed defence minister General Daoud Rajha and President Bashar al-Assad’s brother-in-law Assef Shawkat, state media said. The bombing, which for the first time in a 16-month anti-regime uprising managed to strike.