The terrorist attack which killed General Wissam al-Hassan in Beirut, Lebanon, is being manipulated by the probable participants behind the explosion. General Wissam al-Hassan, information department for Internal Security Forces, was killed along with others after a powerful explosion ripped through a quiet area of East Beirut. He was known for his anti-Syrian government beliefs. This fact clearly plays into the hands of outside forces and Islamists who want to whip up hatred towards Syria, Hezbollah (Hizbullah) and politicians who support Syria within Lebanon. It is no coincidence that Turkey is racking up tensions with Syria and that the terrorist attack in East Beirut is part of a larger picture aimed at toppling the leadership in Damascus. At the same time, Chechen terrorists alongside other operatives are taking out powerful military hardware in Syria. It is long known that Chechen Islamists were given cover in pro-US nations. This applies to Turkey and Georgia respectively therefore with Ankara being intent on enforcing its policies on the people of Syria, it is now involved in many murky dealings. The government of Syria continues to survive all the ratlines being thrown at this independent nation. This applies to outside nations supporting terrorism, sectarianism, spreading Salafi indoctrination, a vicious media war, humanitarian manipulation, a devastating economic blockade, the murder of journalists and other brutal methodologies which include killing Syrian government officials. Therefore, the nations of Turkey, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and political elites in France are intent on the last throw of the dice to topple the government of Bashar al-Assad. It is clear that while America, the CIA and the United Kingdom are still involved in underhanded dealings against Syria. That both America and the United Kingdom are now cooling off towards their anti-Syrian support. Of course, both nations still favor the fall of the Syrian government. Yet the increasing role of al-Qaeda and international terrorism, alongside clear massacres by the Free Syrian Army, (FSA) are increasingly being difficult to justify. This notably applies to America after the brutal killings of American personnel by Islamists in Libya who were deemed to be friends. Therefore, with many NATO members being against a direct bombing campaign of Syria. It is clear that Turkey, Qatar and Saudi Arabia are now trying to use new ways in order to overthrow the government based in Damascus. France appears to be caught in the middle. Yet clearly this nation carries wait throughout the Levant and many ratlines have been plotted with the full knowledge of France, just like in Libya. This reality meant that elites in Ankara tried to use the “pretext” of Syrian mortars landing into Turkey in order to entrap Syria into a regional war. However, the government of Bashar al-Assad didn’t fall for the trap laid by Erdogan and other political elites in Turkey. Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey are intent on enforcing “a new Sunni Islamist order” on the people of Syria despite mainstream Sunni Muslim religious leaders being firmly in support of the government of Bashar al-Assad. Indeed, the conflict in Syria is also aimed at reducing the power of the Russian Federation, Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Despite this, the political leadership remains steadfast in the Russian Federation therefore the new Chechen angle is also a threat to both Syria and the Russian Federation. After all, you have many Islamist groups throughout the Caucasus region and the past history of Afghanistan, Bosnia, Kosovo and Libya shows the intricate web which links Washington, London and Islamists when mutual benefits favor both forces. The assassination plot behind the death of General Wissam al-Hassan clearly plays into the hands of anti-Syrian government and anti-Hezbollah entities, which seek to impose their rule by stealth. Clearly, the political elites in Damascus are currently surviving a brutal sectarian, terrorist and seditious plot against this secular nation. At the same time, the political elites have ignored the hawkish moves of Turkey in order to preserve the independence of Syria. Therefore, it would be political suicide to take out a senior individual in Lebanon who was known to be anti-Bashar al-Assad. It should also be stated that it is the nations of America, Turkey, Qatar, France, Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom, and other Gulf states, which have flooded the Levant with international terrorists and covert operatives from many nations. This reality means that Syria is fighting international terrorism and the plots of covert operatives which seek to destroy the independence of Syria. Hezbollah, pro-Syrian politicians in Lebanon and Syria all lose by the death of General Wissam al-Hassan because he will be replaced by a like minded individual. Yet the legacy of his death means that anti-Syrian government and anti-Hezbollah factions will have been bolstered. At the same time Salafists will whip up more hatred in order to sow discord within Lebanon and Syria. Hezbollah issued a statement which states that “Hizbullah expresses its great shock by this tragic terrorist crime that hit Ashrafiyeh area and killed and wounded dozens of innocent people." "As Hizbullah condemns this terrorist blast, it calls the competent authorities to mobilize all their capacities to unveil the perpetrators and hand-cut those who seek to tamper with the homeland and people’s security." "In parallel, Hizbullah urges all Lebanese parties, political forces and citizens to foil any conspiracy against the security of the country and the safety of its citizens.” Unlike the nations of America, the United Kingdom, Qatar, France, Saudi Arabia and Turkey which have remained virtually quiet about all the terrorist attacks in Syria which are still ongoing. The Syrian government condemned the terrorist attack in Beirut. Therefore, Omran al-Zohbi, Syrian Information Minister, stated “these sort of terrorist, cowardly attacks are unjustifiable wherever they occur.” It is abundantly clear that Syria and Hezbollah want to contain and dampen all the regional convulsions which are being supported by America, the United Kingdom, Qatar, France, Saudi Arabia and Turkey. Therefore, with America, the United Kingdom and NATO understanding that the conspiracy against Syria is failing and that the power of international Islamists is growing – they want a way out. However, the nations of Turkey, Qatar and Saudi Arabia still desire to overthrow the government of Syria and weaken Hezbollah in Lebanon. This reality means that in recent weeks the armed forces of Turkey have bombed Syria in the hope of trapping Syria into a regional war. At the same time, international Islamists are being given more strong military hardware. Meanwhile, paid operatives are dismantling major Syrian military hardware in vulnerable and isolated areas within Syria, which is clearly aimed at laying the foundation for Turkey providing they can ensnare the government of Syria. The government of France remains the most pro-FSA and Islamist element within the Western power structure. Therefore, the brutal terrorist attack in Beirut suits all the forces which support to crush the independence of Syria and reduce the power of Hezbollah within Lebanon. This reality means that all roads point to the forces which are supporting terrorism and sectarianism throughout Syria. It is not plausible that the government of Syria and Hezbollah would gain from the death of General Wissam al-Hassan who will only be replaced. However, the legacy of his death will create more convulsions which are aimed at Syria and Hezbollah respectively. leejay@moderntokyotimes.com http://moderntokyotimes.com