Michael J. Totten: Terrorist killed on Syrian border

November 28, 2006

Terrorist killed on Syrian border

Syrian-born Omar Hamra, a "tawhid and Jihad terrorist and military official", was casually crossing the border with Lebanon today with a suicide belt strapped to his waist, and nine different fake IDs. He ended up "exploding himself", according to the Syrian News Agency SANA.

An official source at the interior ministry said that on Tuesday at about 13,45 AM. and while the military official at al-Tawheid and Jihad al-Takfiri ( those who reject others faith ) whose name is Omar Abdullah and his alias is Omar Hamra, Syrian origin, 28 years old, was trying to cross the border at Jdaydeit Yabous point with forged papers; started to fire at members of the Syrian security forces from a war gun and tried to escape.

The source added that due to the process of pursuing Hamra ; he exploded himself with an explosive belt, the matter that killed and injured two members of the Syrian security forces.

Normally, Syrian law enforcement would think the bulge under his sweater was an oversized belly, typical of many bearded Islamists. On a normal day, they wouldn't be able to tell which one of the nine IDs he produced is really him, and they would let him decide.

But today Omar was unlucky. Not only did he foolishly choose an official border crossing to smuggle himself, his belt and IDs-- he just did not think they would stop him. What with all the help he received from the dark lord's (a.k.a. Bashar Assad) agents? How could they?

So Omar ran. And the agents went after him, dodging his bullets. Kaboom.

It's good he had that belt. Islamist heaven is better than that Syrian hell anyway, at least it's a straight road.

Too bad, his final thought to himself must have been, the belt was only designed to kill one person.

Clap clap.

Posted by Abu Kais at November 28, 2006 08:36 AM

Comments

I'm kinda wondering why they would.

If he's passed through the checkpoints before with similar equipment/documentation without a problem, why would he have a problem this time?

There's probably more to the story.

Posted by: rosignol at November 28, 2006 09:10 AM

I don't get it either. With Syria arming and training terrorists, why did they want to stop this one? Anyone?

Posted by: Mertel at November 28, 2006 10:25 AM

Because they're trying to say to the world: "look, we're not sending terrorists into Lebanon (or Iraq), we're actually trying to stop them." etc.

Posted by: Abu Kais at November 28, 2006 10:59 AM

You guys are too used to Western style politics. While people in the Mideast may seem to be paranoid, there have been so many complex and dangerous conspiracies there that nothing is out of the question. It seems logical that Syria would arrange this, considering the past behavior of Assad and co.

The only other explanation would be a Sunni Salafist and that seems unlikely.

Posted by: Rommel at November 28, 2006 11:19 AM

The only other explanation would be a Sunni Salafist and that seems unlikely.

Dunno. If there's anything I have learned from the mess in Iraq, it's that militant lunatics can come from any sect.

I'll wait and see if the Syrian media reports it as "we are trying to keep terrorists out of Lebanon" or "Zionist conspiracy tricks innocent man into detonating".

Posted by: rosignol at November 28, 2006 11:49 AM

It's also strange that they describe him as the 'leader' of the terrorist group. I have never before heard of a terrorist leader deliberately blowing themselves up. They usually send others to die.

Posted by: Mertel at November 28, 2006 12:23 PM

At least he only killed himself. Small things to be thankful for, I guess. It is good to see you posting here. (Michael you did good with your temporary replacement! :)

Posted by: Yael at November 28, 2006 12:45 PM

I had no idea that SANA was a reliable source of information on terrorists! Especially one who turns up negative on all internet searches. I guess I learn something new every day!

Posted by: Solomon2 at November 28, 2006 12:58 PM

This is Bashar's (not so) secret 4-step plan:

1)kill a lebanese official to spread fear and chaos in Lebanon

2) wait for the US, UN, EU, Arab effing League to condemn, while a couple point the finger at Syria

3) Kill some wanna-be-terrorist schmuck or guys "attacking" some embassy In Damascus to show you are on the good side of the war on terror.

4)Go back to step one (until Lebanon is no more).

PS Sorry for the repost Abu Kais

Posted by: JoseyWales at November 28, 2006 01:30 PM

For more on the story.

Yeah, the guy was crossing the border from totalitarian-control-freak Syria with guns blazing, a suicide belt strapped to his body, and a grenade. Both the belt and the grenade exploded simutaneously as he was running away and was shot.

He was carrying 9 fake id's but the geniuses who work at the border immediately identified him.

The beauty of totalitarianism: they suck at lying but on the up-side, they don't have to be good. No one will argue with them.

Posted by: JoseyWales at November 28, 2006 01:46 PM

There is definitely something fishy about this story. There is no way he would have attempted to cross the border armed with explosives unless he was given assurances that he would not be stopped.

This is definitely for show. The Syrians are ruthless, but their actions are based on carefully calculated strategy. They aren't playing kids games here.

Posted by: Omega80 at November 28, 2006 02:33 PM

I guess it's a somewhat direct translation, but this statement is very confusing in English, could someone explain? ---

"and while the military official at al-Tawheid and Jihad al-Takfiri ( those who reject others faith ) whose name" -- I don't understand the 'those who reject others faith' line, seems out of context?

Thanks.

Posted by: Akiva at November 28, 2006 02:56 PM

I don't understand. And who was he planning to blow up then should his mission succeed? Lebanese civilians?

Posted by: tsedek at November 28, 2006 04:56 PM

Too bad, his final thought to himself must have been, the belt was only designed to kill one person.

My God, that's a wonderful idea!

Imagine that the Syrian security service set this guy up by giving him a bomb that wasn't likely to kill anyone but him. Genius! We should set up every Jihadi in the world that way. Problem solved!

Posted by: Josh Scholar at November 28, 2006 05:43 PM

I've always said I support suicide bombers-- so long as they detonate in an open field with nobody else around.

Posted by: Zak at November 28, 2006 06:53 PM

TOPICS FOR MEETING WITH SYRIA, IRAN
– Morning: Brief intro, overview, goals of the day by Pamela Anderson
– Syria: When and how we intend to drop 12 GPS bombs beside Assad’s bedroom
– Power Point presentation, before/after simulation pics for palace
– Assad’s preferred bombing dates, nations he would like to do it
– Which villa he would prefer in Tunisia (virtual tours of real estate listings)
Lunch: California Fusion fare with Pamela’s comments on morning events
– Afternoon, Iran: Which Iranian rebel groups we’ll be supporting this year, $$ amounts
– Power Point presentation RE the 1-day plan to destroy Iran’s new Russian missiles
– Iranian input about which offshore oil rigs they would like us to seize first
– Invitation to Iranian leaders to aid in massive heroin imports via Afghanistan
– Financial incentives review (Deloitte Touche)
– Discussion, with fruit punch, shortbread, Syrian coffee, Iranian tea, jocular exchanges
– Condi and George’s wrap-up, with brief review of evening events, adjournment.

Posted by: DemocracyRules at November 28, 2006 09:09 PM

Interesting Lebanon story in the WaPo this morning:

Ad Blitz Satirizes Lebanon's Divides; Provocative Signs Target Pervasive Sectarianism

Posted by: SoCalJustice at November 29, 2006 06:16 AM

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