On 18 July 2012 , a bombing target the National security headquarters with Assad 's most senior generals , known collectively as the " crisis cell " , were meeting . 4 were killed ; Defense minister Dawoud Rajiha , Deputy head of armed forces Assef Shawkat , General Hasan Turkmani and National security chief Hisham Ikhtiyar
bombing
18 July 2012 Damascus bombing
Rif Dimashq clashes (November 2011–March 2012)