Today's bombing in Damascus, a convenient threat?

Today's car bombing in Damascus was the first of its kind in Syria since the 1980s. This circumstance, in conjunction with the recent deployment of Syrian troops to the country's border with Lebanon and the alleged involvement of an extremist group in the attack, may have some conspiracy theorists wondering if the incident will be used as a pretext for Syrian action in northern Lebanon.

NOWLebanon reports that the attack was executed by an Iraqi suicide bomber thought to be tied to Al-Qaeda, citing an unnamed Syrian security source. The same source suggests the attack targeted a Syrian security complex nearby, and was in response to recent Syrian measures to curb Al-Qaeda. Note, the attack comes after Hezbollah's Imad Mughniyeh was assassinated in Damascus earlier in February.

Although state-run Syrian media outlets have yet to pin the blame on any particular group, they have highlighted condemnation of the incident as a terrorist attack by the international community.

In lieu of a claim of responsibility, AQ fans have so far debated online whether or not the attack should be celebrated. Some argue the heavy civilian death toll of 17 does not appear to suggest an Al-Qaeda-styled group's involvement in the incident. This interpretation, however, overlooks the fact that the attack took place in the vicinity of a Syrian security complex, so perhaps civilians were not the primary target. Additionally, the fact that the explosion took place at an intersection frequented by Shia pilgrims en route to a nearby religious site is also consistent with the targeting exhibited by groups of the Al-Qaeda ilk ala Iraq.

I will post additional details and analysis when additional information and coverage is provided.