ABC Exclusive: Video Shows U.S. Embassy Terror Attack
Email A U.S. government surveillance tape, obtained by ABC News, reveals in graphic detail the attack on the American embassy in Damascus, Syria, this September and raises new questions about the role of the Syrian government. The tape will be seen tonight on ABC World News and Nightline. Watch the webcast with expert analysis.
Some U.S. diplomats have privately questioned whether Syria was behind the plot, or learned of it in advance, and let it take place in order to take credit for stopping it. THE BLOTTER RECOMMENDS Video Lucky in Damascus Exclusive: New U.S. Government Videotape Simulates Terrorist Attacks Click Here for to Check Out the Brian Ross Investigative Webcast "This is one of the most closely guarded areas in Damascus in an authoritarian state. It’s so unlikely that something like this, of this nature and scale, could happen," said David Schenker of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. Check out the amazing slideshow of the attack on the U.S. embassy in Damascus. The video shows three of the four attackers, armed with automatic weapons and hand grenades, attempting to storm the embassy’s front gate. Click Here for Full Blotter Coverage. A civilian is seen falling to the ground, cut down by the attackers’ gunfire. Syrian troops across the street from the embassy engage the attackers in a ten-minute gun battle, and the tape shows three of the attackers being felled one by one. Syrian authorities said a fourth member of the attack teams, whose van loaded with explosives failed to detonate, died later from his wounds. The tape shows the fourth attacker attempting to leave the scene under his own power. FBI agents assigned to investigate all attacks on U.S. embassies were denied permission to enter Syria, and U.S. authorities were never told what the fourth attacker may have said before he died. "He’s the absolute key to what happened and to determine the other players that were at the location. What was the cause of the bombing? In other words, who wanted it done?" said former FBI agent Brad Garrett, an ABC News consultant, who viewed the attack tape. "I mean, he’s basically the lynchpin of figuring out what happened," Garrett said. Garrett and other security experts who viewed the tape say the attack appears poorly planned and not likely the work of the usually well-organized al Qaeda. The attackers did not breach the heavily fortified walls of the embassy, which is situated on a heavily traveled street in Damascus. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice publicly thanked the Syrians for stopping the attack saying they are expected to protect foreign embassies. The Syrian government concluded the attack was planned in Saudi Arabia and that the four attackers were Syrian with no links to al Qaeda. Privately, some U.S. diplomats continue to believe the Syrians played a role in making, or letting it happen, so they could appear to be the heroes who stopped it. Syria is considered by the United States to be a state that supports terrorists in Iraq and Lebanon. "In fact, Syria has played a double game with terrorists for decades," said Schenker of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. "The people that are in the Syrian military who died defending the U.S. embassy are cannon fodder; the regime obviously does not really care about this," Schenker said. The Syrian embassy in Washington, D.C., said today that there have been no recent developments in regards to the investigation into the attack.
RSS
Twitter
Facebook
Oh, it must be so. Because surely knows no one from the Washington Institute for Near East Policy has ever been wrong about anything, or spread rumors and disinformation in an effort to take us into a war of choice.
Posted by: Nell | December 20, 2006, 2:33 pm 2:33 pm
“”This is one of the most closely guarded areas in Damascus in an authoritarian state. It’s so unlikely that something like this, of this nature and scale, could happen,” said David Schenker of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.”
The Pentagon is the most heavily defended building in the USA. How was it that a hijacked aircraft was allowed to impact it?
Posted by: Steve Lane | December 20, 2006, 4:02 pm 4:02 pm
Why dont the brits/yankees just get out of the middle east. You are the most hated there and the 1.3bn muslims are after your hide which they will eventually get
Posted by: August Abraham | December 20, 2006, 6:38 pm 6:38 pm
There was absolutely no evidence of Syrian involvement provided, just some “expert” from the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. Brian Ross, stick to covering perverts in Congress. You’re not an international relations expert. Allowing your segment to be used by “experts” who are pushing an agenda (having the US overthrow the Syrian government) does all of your viewers a disservice.
Did anyone else notice this contradiction in the story? Schenker says it couldn’t be done without Syria’s knowledge because of its “scale”, while the attack is called crude. I’m sure the Syrian military appreciates putting their lives on the line to protect the American embassy only to later find themselves accused of knowing about the attack because they did such a good job protecting the embassy.
The story that Syria was behind the attack had no basis except for one so-called expert. Next time, do some research on your sources.
Posted by: David | December 20, 2006, 7:22 pm 7:22 pm
View the attack on U.S. embassy in Damascus.
Posted by: John Collins | December 20, 2006, 7:23 pm 7:23 pm
Brian Ross reported that the US embassy is very close the Syrian presidential Palace, so it is natural for the Syrian army to be present all around the area surrounding the palace which includes the US embassy.
So why is the report stating that the quick Syrian response indicates prior knowledge of the attack.
ABC, stick to your job, report the news do not create it. Misleading and lying is the job of the President and the Vice President.
Posted by: Aziz | December 20, 2006, 10:40 pm 10:40 pm
“The Pentagon is the most heavily defended building in the USA. How was it that a hijacked aircraft was allowed to impact it?”
That’s absurd! You can’t possibly be serious when comparing a 300 foot-long, bullet-shaped craft, traveling at roughly 500 mph (while its transponder is off) with a compact car and a van in a “secure” section of Damascus. You can stop one of those at a distance by simply firing guns at the tires; the other you don’t stop, you hit the dirt. I challenge you to put 3 people in a compact car with automatic weapons and try to drive as close to the Pentagon as those terrorists were in that video. (As far as your assumption goes, the Pentagon is hardly the most secure building in the US. Try the White House, Camp Peary, VA (the CIA training base), or Nellis AFB. Yet a hijacker could potentially steer a plane into any of those targets.)
Lots of weird stuff happened on 9/11, and it shocked us all. Is it really worthwhile to make these conspiracy theories (about 9/11, that is) based on junk science that contradict the facts? The White House couldn’t even prevent a leak about the NSA wiretapping issue. Suppose, then, that the US Government was in collusion with, ancillary to, or somehow affiliated with those hijackers who hit the WTC, Pentagon and a field in PA. If the government were, it would have an extremely difficult time setting up the attack and keeping it under wraps. The more complex it is, the more layers there are and the more people there are involved. Hence, there is greater likelihood of a leak.
Posted by: Andrew Elgert | December 20, 2006, 10:55 pm 10:55 pm
I was in Syria when the attack happend and at that time if you asked any one from the Syrian people who did the attack? their answer is “THE SYRIAN GOVERMENT” and the MUKHABARAT
Posted by: Syrian | December 20, 2006, 11:20 pm 11:20 pm
Syria is the land of civilizations, religions and peace.
Posted by: linda | December 21, 2006, 12:08 am 12:08 am
Syria is slime – NUKE IT !
Posted by: Col. Stan Horton | December 21, 2006, 12:32 am 12:32 am
because they responded quickly, America is accusing them of knowing about the attack. If they didn’t respond quickly, they would have accused them of paving the way to terrorists to do the attack. What should they do????
American people, please wake up and see that your policy to deal with the terrorists is a very wrong policy. Your president is making a big mess that we are all paying its price.
Posted by: Iyad | December 21, 2006, 12:39 am 12:39 am
Mr.Schenker: what do you know about Damascus? have you been to Damascus?
did you really see that “most closely guarded area” in Damascus?
I think i know each meter in my city better then u do. everyone can come near by the U.S embassy and say hi to that Camera on the Embassy’s wall.
“The attackers did not breach the heavily fortified walls of the embassy, which is situated on a heavily traveled street in Damascus. ” “Heavily traveled street” can be a closely guarded area??
Posted by: Mohammad | December 21, 2006, 1:22 am 1:22 am
“Privately, some U.S. diplomats continue to believe the Syrians played a role in making, or letting it happen, so they could appear to be the heroes who stopped it”
I Privately Believe that those some U.S. diplomats should get a different job like selling hotdogs or popcorn..better to the economy and more constructive rather than gossiping or refining everything to serve their political agenda or in most cases to fill up their pockets with oil. They are the ones who obviously don’t care about their own troops who die everyday.
Goin to Iraq is like dipping your feet and ears in honey and going out to the feilds. attaracts terrorists from everywhere.
IF IRAQ HAD NUCLEAR WEAPONS IT WOULD HAD NOT BEEN ATTACKED..unlike North Korea for instance !! even a Monkey can see that !
Posted by: Marco Georges | December 21, 2006, 1:42 am 1:42 am
It is very clear to me, where the Administration stands on Syria. They dont believe in diplomacy, the last 8 years have been terrible for U.S. Foreign Policy makers and military generals. Many have retired,when they should have stayed and fought this Administration folks who are stubborn and arrogant. They think that they know best, really?
The U.S. has been placed in the Dark Ages by this jokers; I am disspointed in the American people – they should be mad as hell at their present government and Congress for allowing peace and diplomacy to take second place to war and destruction.
Posted by: Gary McConnel | December 21, 2006, 1:44 am 1:44 am
as syrian i would say difintly it’s unfair of such well known institute to doubt about such terrorsits attack
syria had never opposed any role in the area while USA adminstration doesnt care about us we people of the land here ,they only care about having more money and control the flow of oil which is all what they look for … unfortunately what usa administration doing these days is to back the terror in the whole world to warm it up nothin else!
Posted by: Gergeous | December 21, 2006, 2:37 am 2:37 am
Oh it is so hard video .I’m Syrian and Syria is so nice and safe place when you will came Syria you will see that. These kinds of killers are not Syrian people because the Syrian people are so safety people and we like all safety people in the world too we don’t like war and the killer.
Posted by: Hosam Nicola Nasr | December 21, 2006, 2:57 am 2:57 am
What do Syrians need to do to convense U.S. government that they are helping? I guess they must stopped 9/11 !
Posted by: Ian | December 21, 2006, 3:37 am 3:37 am
the American government is number one in saying lies .
Posted by: george | December 21, 2006, 3:44 am 3:44 am
I want to thank Mr. Steve Lane for his smart reply , and add : How could terrorist explode train station in London even the police expect such an action. Mr. David stop attacking Syria in behalf of Israel, Syrian People want to live in Peace and truly we are very satisfied with our System, because it offer secure living for people and not explosive cars like US bring to Iraq. Thank You for publishing.
Posted by: Khaled Abed | December 21, 2006, 4:01 am 4:01 am
“The Syrian government concluded the attack was planned in Saudi Arabia and that the four attackers were Syrian with no links to al Qaeda.”
“The people that are in the Syrian military who died defending the U.S. embassy are cannon fodder; the regime obviously does not really care about this,”"
what this kind of comedy ??
Three men killed, and you speaks about that them mere” cannon fodder”
There are three big governments in this world support the terrorism they government of the United States ,Israel, and the kingdom Saudi Arabia ?!
Posted by: Ahmad Bekdash | December 21, 2006, 4:06 am 4:06 am
american leaders must know that not all the people think and act the way they think and act.
silly suggestion, for sorry.
Posted by: from syria | December 21, 2006, 4:35 am 4:35 am
I wish Brian would apply the same investigative logic to the events surrounding 9/11/01
Posted by: colin | December 21, 2006, 7:06 am 7:06 am
thanks
Posted by: khalil | December 21, 2006, 7:30 am 7:30 am
comme on guys , what do you need more from the syria government to do, if they let those people attack the embassy you are going to say , yaa the syrian government didn’t do a thing and you are going to accuse them in this terroist attack ,and in the other hand if they do what they did, you also accuse them that they know about that attck and it was a fake or a movie things,, what do you want from us,, leave us alone for god sack
Regards
Bassel
Posted by: Bassel.UK | December 21, 2006, 9:20 am 9:20 am
if u think is not real…. i can tell u the 11 sept not real to go and play away abc …. u can say that for kids not for us …huh
Posted by: David | December 21, 2006, 10:34 am 10:34 am
This just shows that we need to talk with Syria about Iraq. It will help… yeah right!!!
Posted by: Jeff Daniels | December 21, 2006, 1:59 pm 1:59 pm
So much venom! What a wonder world we live in – sheesh!
Posted by: Sheesh | December 21, 2006, 2:27 pm 2:27 pm
Well what do you expect? Bill Clinton allowed our embassies to be attacked all the time with NO repercussion. Look at the Death Toll, the only thing he did was send lawyers after the terrorist. Now we have Bill Clintons National Security advisor, Snady Berger, stealing documents from the national archives so the 911 commission would not get the whole story.. BUT ABC and NBC and CBS will not talk about this only a blurp on their web page. WHAT DID THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION WANT TO HIDE BY THROWING THESE DOCUMENTS AWAY..Investigate that Brian Ross
Posted by: SL | December 21, 2006, 3:58 pm 3:58 pm
The FBI commentator states that the attack was poorly thought out because of the method used and that the attackers were connected to the Syrian government. For proof the commentator states that the attackers were inadequately armed, their assault rifles and grenades standing no chance in breaching the fortifications they faced. And that the quick and strong return fire by Syrian forces suggests a staged fight. If his opinion is based only on the video and not other knowledge I can’t see the evidence supporting his claim.
The video states that while the attackers were assaulting the front of the embassy a vehicle rigged with a car bomb attempted (but failed) to attack the rear. It appears to me that the “front door” attackers were sacrificed to create a diversion for the real attack, this would explain their small numbers and weapons. Far from being unskilled their attack was ruthless and used a time proven tactic. It may have also succeeded but for the failure of the car bomb to detonate. The other point I would make is that Syrian forces engaged the attackers for 15-20 minutes, this is a very long firefight for a staged battle. It is only my opinion but I think a sound one that if the Syrian security forces knew about the attack and plan to kill the attackers all along they would have ended it after a few minute with an anti-armor missile or heavy machine gun fire. Based on the above I don’t think the evidence on hand supports the comminatory’s opinion.
I personally have little doubt that the Syrian government is involved in matters that harm the interests of the USA and that they perfectly capable of staging a “fake” attack but it can’t be proven here.
I take time to write this for two reason. The key elements, the second attack on the rear and the length of the battle was glossed over by an expert who knows better. Second the Syrian security forces appear to me to have done their duty and should be honored not slandered. I know that if the roles were reversed USA forces would act in the same manner because they too are honorable, despite what the press puts out.
D. Windish
Posted by: Dale Windish | December 21, 2006, 11:41 pm 11:41 pm
FYI: usually you find at least 100 of syrian security personels in that area because it is very close to the president’s resident, moreover, many foriegn embassies r there. So 30 soldiers does not seem as the Syrians were ready at all. That is very normal.
Posted by: Ali | December 22, 2006, 5:22 am 5:22 am
about the Embassy attack, the area has a very important locations such as the republic palace (400m), the syrian presedent lives there!, and many other embassies and the area is heavely guarded by the syrian national guards. so it is very normal that the attack is failed, on the other hand as syrians we have a big problems with the islamics at the early 80′s from the last century and we do not support those people a all.. best Regards.
Posted by: Bassel Hassen | December 23, 2006, 2:29 pm 2:29 pm
This is an outrageous thing, It is as sure as anything else the same sort of inside job that many other so called “terrorist attacks” have been lately in this and other regions. As they say in the report here…
“This is one of the most closely guarded areas in Damascus in an authoritarian state. It’s so unlikely that something like this, of this nature and scale, could happen,” said David Schenker of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.
I mean common, It must be the Syrians who let it happen, just as the Bush admin must have known about the other “Terrorist attack” on the worlds top secured spot, you al know, if not..then does “09-11-01″ sound familiar?
Posted by: LiberalRebel | December 27, 2006, 9:24 am 9:24 am
The madrid trainbombing,
The London merto bombing,
WTC Bombing.
All heavily guarded cities, all with what they claim to be the best of the best within the intelligence services, we all know about them, MI-5, MI-6, CIA, FBI. NSA and so on….and still..Boom boom, these guy at least managed to divert and succeed over these attacks, known before hand or not (as many still believes to be the same case in the 09-11-01 happening)These security guys that the syrians have might be something to call into duty in the futuristic foreign battalions that the US Pentagon now is believed to consider since most of their own stock of cannon fodder has tarted to develope a brain and refuse to join. LOL! What a world it is huh?
Posted by: LiberalRebel | December 27, 2006, 9:52 am 9:52 am
but I am from Syria and I feel sad for that attack
but if u checked that location of the American embassy u will never think it will be save cuz there are two micro service bus working in the embassy street which make defend the embassy too hard , another thing U can not blame any country why it has terrorists cells cuz America itself got many of it so u can controll the country but the people
Posted by: Fady | December 29, 2006, 1:03 pm 1:03 pm
i wanna say that syria dont hait america we all[syrian]want to build a strong and a peacefull relation with you,but you should stop attacking us and invading ,killing and abusing our brothers in iraq and palastine
and stop leadin lebanon to a civil war ,,so pleace let us live in peace and you gonna sea all love and friendship from our side
Posted by: tony | January 3, 2007, 5:17 am 5:17 am