According to initial reports, army forces besieged Wednesday evening the offices of Syrian President Bashar Assad's brother-in-law, Asef Shawkat, in Damascus. Shawkat serves as the Syrian army intelligence chief and is considered to be Assad's closest aide. The story was reported by the ANN network, owned by Rifaat Assad, the Syrian president's uncle and rival, who is in exile. | Which makes the story somewhat suspect, but interesting |
According to the report, the Syrian forces demanded that Shawkat to give himself in, but he refused. | "Come on out, Asef! We just want to take you for a ride." |
In the meantime, there has been no confirmation or reference to the report by any other source. | If nothing else, a propaganda war by Rifaat Assad may be starting |
Another link, same source: Syrian army forces have surrounded the offices of A’sif Shawkat, the brother-in-law of Syrian President Bashar Al-Asad and head of Syria’s Military Intelligence service. According to a report from the ANN network, run by a Syrian exile, Syrian forces demanded Shawkat surrender but he refused. The report has not been confirmed by other sources.
Shawkat, as well as Bashar Al-Asad’s brother, Mahir Al-Asad, are both suspects in the assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafiq Al-Hariri. Shawkat is said to be a close aide of the president, but analysts say the president fears him because of his strong influence.
Another: Unconfirmed reports in the past 24 hours spoke about military movements around the Damascus houses of senior Syrian officials mentioned by U.N. chief investigator Detlev Mehlis in connection with the assassination former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. The Beirut-based An Nahar reported on its Thursday's front-page that "These reports have raised questions on whether these movements were precautionary measures or for other purposes."
This story came after a TV network, owned by Rifaat Assad, the Syrian president's uncle and rival, who is in exile, reported that Syrian forces besieged Wednesday evening the offices of Syrian President Bashar Assad's brother-in-law, Asef Shawkat, in Damascus. Shawkat heads the Syrian army intelligence and is considered to be Assad's closest aide. Shawkat is suspected of being involved in Hariri's assassination. |