I also read some articles speculating that this could be an attack against certain VPN and anti-GreatFirewallofChina projects being hosted by GitHub.
Unfortunately if the attacks succeed then there could be an escalation against other unfavourable technologies and other hosting sites like BitBucket, etc. Many of which also host a great deal of non-security projects from fledgling companies.
In short this type of thing at worst, if allowed to continue, could impact technological progress worldwide.
Oh well, the Cloud was a nice idea but the always on and always connected ideas are also always going to be subject to this kind of abuse, whether it is state-sponsored or not.