The assassination attempt on Mr. Abdel Halim Khaddam was the most significant political event in the past 48 hours, drawing considerable attention in Lebanon and the Arab world, particularly regarding the expected reactions.
The incident sparked widespread condemnation from Lebanese, Palestinian, and Arab sources but also heightened awareness of ongoing terrorist plots that are still in the planning and execution stages. These plots must be suppressed and exposed to Arab and global public opinion before peace can be achieved in Lebanon.
Sources close to Damascus confirmed the day before yesterday that the initial investigations into the assassination attempt had identified the main actors and instigators.
Meanwhile, Baghdad Radio reported that the Black June Organization, which was behind the Samiramis operation and the Intercontinental Hotel attack in Amman, claimed responsibility for this operation, issuing their statement in Madrid.
Motorcycle and Pistol
How did the attempt unfold, and what were the initial reactions?
Information gathered from those who visited Damascus yesterday and had direct contact with Syrian officials indicates that Minister Khaddam was driving his black Mercedes at 2:15 PM the day before yesterday, Wednesday (during the Eid al-Adha holiday), when the shooting occurred. He was about 10 kilometers from Damascus, with his wife, Umm Jamal, beside him, on the Dummar Road in the southern suburbs of the Syrian capital.
The perpetrators were lying in wait along the road, waiting for a clear moment to commit the crime. Two assailants on a motorcycle followed him, seizing the opportunity to open fire. The motorcycle approached within three or four meters, and one of the riders drew a 9mm pistol and fired at Minister Khaddam’s head from behind. The first bullet missed the headrest, while the second bullet struck his right shoulder and passed through his right arm. The motorcycle passed the Mercedes, then the gunman turned around from a distance of one or two meters and fired again at Minister Khaddam’s head with the intent to finish him off, hitting his left hand from the front. This all happened in less than two minutes.
At that moment, a regular car arrived just as the minister, fully conscious, managed to regain control of his nerves and stop his car, which had veered off the road. When the Mercedes stopped, the minister’s wife quickly ran to stop the first oncoming car but was hit and suffered bruises. More cars gathered, while the assailants fled on their motorcycle. Minister Khaddam and his wife were taken to Al-Mouwasat Hospital in Damascus, where he underwent several surgeries. It was determined that although the injuries were direct, they did not cause permanent damage to his arteries and bones.
At the hospital, Khaddam told his visitors that he had managed, with extraordinary effort, to control his car after being injured in both hands, and he remained conscious throughout. He explained that the outing with his wife was a daily routine and that he felt the bullets aimed at him were intended to kill him.