Reports from Syria suggest that today’s rallies are the largest in several weeks, as violent crackdowns against the pro-democracy demonstrations continued apace, and opposition figures said at least 20 more were slain.
The largest rallies came in central Syria, and in the suburbs of Damascus. Reports also suggested that a number of soldiers in the suburb of Kiswa had defected. Syria’s government defied the claims of defections.
Reports also had crackdowns continuing in the north, with another 1,500 Syrians crossing into Turkey on Thursday and continuing today. Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said the refugees were to be welcomed into Turkey as guests for as long as necessary.
Despite the growing refugee crisis, the real story is, as ever, the absolute failure of the Assad regime’s crackdowns in quelling the protests. Months of violence has not silenced the demonstrations but has if anything built them into a bigger force nationwide, and one no longer determined to settle for reforms but demanding full regime change.
Jason Ditz’s comment that suppression has expanded the movement and that they now want regime change does raise the question on what he is basing it on. There is no one who can accurately estimate the supporters and opponents of the government. Sending in protestors with the object of clashing with authorities makes for good YouTube video, but it has not achieved its goal of removing Bashar Assad. Ditz is incorrect about the “now” demands as it was early in the three and half month rebellion that Assad’s demise was demanded.
The coordinators of the protests have lost creditability with the Syrian population too. Those who have opposed the dictatorship for years recognize that the internet has not seen the fall of the regime. What is left for the Facebook crowd is either to elevate their conflict to open war (civil war) or to arouse the US/EU to militarily intervene on their behalf. Either strategy will bring about far more death and destruction to the country.
In addition, these overseas leaders have rejected out of hand any possible negotiations with Assad. They have embarked on a course of action that requires deaths to sustain world interest while at the same time leaving only options that would shatter their country.
Assad should be renamed The Butcher of the Middle East.
CNN had a gal reporting live from downtown Damascus on Friday waiting for something to happen when the Mosques emptied. Obviously she was in the wrong place because correspondents miles away in Lebanon knew and reported 10's of people shot down in the street while government sources were reporting the shootings of numerous police and security men by armed gangs.
Sometimes gunfire doesn't carry very far, but with Syria in the state we're being told it is, you'd think that somebody would have been telling her there were other places to go.