November 18, 2011 – Syria News Blog: A Roundup of International Reportage

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Syria’s International Isolation Deepens, Armed Opposition Grows Increasingly Brazen

A move by the Arab League to suspend Syria’s membership and related League efforts to unify the Syrian opposition, extended clashes between armed members of the opposition and military forces in Daraa, and an opposition-led assault on Syrian air force intelligence facilities in the capital Damascus, place the last seven days in Syria among the country’s most significant and foreboding since the revolution began in March. 

 
The Syrian Revolution
 
Protests, clashes, and security crackdowns
Only seventeen days in, November is already among the most violent months in Syria since the start of the revolution in March, with over 250 civilians killed in security crackdowns and clashes in the month’s first eleven days, not including the deaths of an estimated 100 soldiers during the same period. 
 
Violence continues to intensify in Homs, where armed members of the opposition have allegedly set up heavily defended safe zones aimed at protecting civilians populations, and Syrian security and armed forces have waged intensive incursions aimed at limiting the scope of the opposition’s hold. At the same time, protestors throughout the city and the broader governorate, continue to take to the streets in protest, and defections from the army, according to unconfirmed foreign reportage, continue to rise. The same reports charge that Syrian security forces respond to militant members of the opposition and their unarmed counterparts in much the same manner, using tanks and heavy artillery to regain control. 
 
On Friday November 11, reports estimated that 16 people were killed in violence following demonstrations after prayers across the country. Most of the fatalities occurred in Homs. Reports also emerged that day suggesting that the Syrian army was planting further mines in the countryside along Syria’s border with Lebanon, including in the area of Wadi Khaled.
 
Seven people were killed in Hama two days later, when security forces reportedly opened fired on members of the opposition who had worked their way into a pro-government demonstration. Another seven died amid violence elsewhere in the country.
 
On Monday, between 70 and 90 people were killed in clashes in a number of places around the country. The worst of the violence occurred in the southern province of Daraa, where a sustained and brutal battle erupted between the Syrian military and armed members of the opposition. At least 34 soldiers were among those killed during the fighting, along with 12 army defectors and 27 civilians, making the day the bloodiest in Syria since April 22, when some 72 people were killed in massive security crackdowns. The day’s violence and the huge number of fatalities among Syrian armed forces serve as clear evidence that an armed insurgency is well underway – irregardless of the relatively peaceful nature of most of the anti-government protests that also continue daily across the country. 
 
On Wednesday, army defectors reportedly attacked an air force intelligence complex in Harasta, a neighborhood on the outskirts of the capital Damascus. The attack was allegedly well-planned, with members of the Free Syrian Army using machine guns to fire on the facilities. Though armed elements of the opposition have waged other attacks on security and military force facilities around the country, Wednesday’s attack is deeply troubling for its location in the country’s capital, thus suggesting that the opposition’s militant members are becoming increasingly skilled and aggressive. 
 
Political prisoners released 
 
Kamal al-Labwani, a well-known dissident and prisoner of conscience, was also released from prison that day following six years in detention. A substantial portion of his time was served in solitary confinement. Labwani founded the Liberal Democratic Union opposition party and was first imprisoned in 2001 for his pro-reform stance in connection with the Damascus Spring.
 
Members of Syrian opposition meet in Cairo, seek broader international support
On Tuesday, November 14, members of the Syrian opposition arrived in Cairo at the invitation of the Arab League. The Cairo meeting was intended to help forge unity among opposition members whilst developing a strategic plan for Syria should the government fall. The opposition, comprised of a large number of disparate groups, remains largely incongruous. The Syrian National Council (SNC), one of the largest of the opposition’s organizations (with the National Coordination Committee being its main competitor), has gained support in recent months but still suffers from credibility issues and the reality that it was formed undemocratically. 
 
Some maintain that the best approach to unifying the opposition, is to expand the ranks of the SNC – a formidable task at best. Others maintain that the only way forward is through the founding of a completely new opposition group.  
 
In the meantime, however, the SNC is moving forward with its bid to gain international legitimacy, holding meetings with Turkish and Russian officials. The group’s meetings with officials from the former country, were held in Ankara on Sunday. The SNC is pressuring Ankara to allow it to open up an office in Turkey. 
 
The SNC also held meetings in Moscow, Russia on November 15 with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in hopes of persuading the Russian government to adopt a stronger position in response to the violence in Syria.  Burhan Ghalioun, the SNC’s leader, commented to the press at the end of the meeting that, “We told our Russian colleagues that to make the start of the talks possible we believe it is necessary for Russia and the international community to send an important signal and demand Bashar al-Assad’s resignation.” The meeting did not succeed in changing Russia’s position. 
 
International Rights Groups
 
New Human Rights Watch report accuses Syrian government of committing ‘crimes against humanity’
On November 11, the international rights group Human Rights Watch released a report, “‘We Live as in War’: Crackdown on Protesters in the Governorate of Homs,” on allegations that the Syrian government has committed crimes against humanity in the governorate Homs. The 63-page report contains interviews with 110 witnesses and victims and focuses on events between mid-April and August of this year, during which time it is believed that some 587 people were killed in Homs governorate. An excerpt from the report’s Executive Summary:
 
 
To read the report in full, click here. 
 
International Politics & Diplomacy
 
Obama & Medvedev meet in Honolulu to discuss Syria issue
On Saturday November 12, US President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev held a meeting in Honolulu, Hawaii to discuss security issues in Syria, Iran, and Afghanistan. No details regarding the topic of Syria where released to the public. Russia continues to stand in opposition to a UN Security Council resolution on Syria. 
 
Arab League votes to suspend Syria’s membership, threatens political and economic sanctions
On Saturday, November 12, following the Syrian government’s failure to implement the peace plan advanced by the Arab League on November 2, the League held an emergency meeting in Cairo during which it voted to suspend Syria’s membership in the organization. Eighteen of the League’s 22 members voted in favor of the suspension, with three voting against it (Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen) and one, Iraq, abstaining. 
 
The League held another emergency meeting on Wednesday, this time in Rabat, Morocco. The League gave Damascus three more days to bring an end to the violence across the country and threatened to impose political and economic sanctions against the country. As a result, the status of Syria’s membership in the League remains unclear. Some charge that the League moved forward with Syria’s official suspension. Others state that in giving Syria three more days, the suspension was temporarily put on hold. 
 
The League’s move to suspend Syria’s membership constitutes a serious diplomatic blow to Damascus. Using the League’s response to the crisis in Libya – which indeed enabled the establishment of a UN-mandated no-fly zone and NATO-led military assaults on Libyan targets, its move against Syria arguably creates a similar opportunity for international intervention in Syria. That written, few believe that the international community has the will or resources to engage in what would likely become one of the most complex, far-reaching, and costly confrontations in the region’s modern history.  
 
To that end, Qatar’s Foreign Minister Hamad bin Jassim, maintains that international intervention is not on the League’s agenda. “No one is talking about a no-fly zone, people are trying to mix up the cases. None of us is talking about this kind of decision,” Jassim said. 
 
The League’s chief Nabil Elaraby expressed similar views this week, stating that “This decision reflects a lack of foreign intervention. The Arab League has been calling on Syria to stop the violence for four months and it hasn’t happened.”
 
How the League’s suddenly strong-armed response to the crisis in Syria will play out, is nevertheless impossible to predict. Many members of the opposition view the League’s decision as lending weight and legitimacy to their cause. It is doubtful, however, that the League, for decades beleaguered by its own irrelevance and borderline ineptitude, has Syria’s best interest at heart – regardless of how weighty the rhetoric of its leadership may presently be. Further, the Syrian government has remained utterly unflinching in the face of its growing international isolation. That the League’s decision might prompt official behavioral change in Damascus, and in Syrian security forces, borders on implausible. That leaves Syria largely at the mercy of international sanctions, which if anything, will only bring about the total economic devastation of ordinary Syrians. 
 
Qatar’s role in the Arab League’s move to suspend Syria’s membership
Unsurprisingly, articles covering Qatar’s role in the Arab League’s decision to suspend Syria’s membership were numerous this week. Some examples: “Qatar Wields an Outsize Influence in Arab Politics” – The New York Times; “Syria’s Neighbors Helping Shape its Fate” – Los Angeles Times, and; “Arab League’s ‘Roar’ at Syria Shows How Tiny Qatar is Starting to Flex its Muscle” – The Independent. 
 
Embassy attacks – Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Morocco, UAE, Turkey and France
On Saturday, November 12, following the Arab League’s vote to suspend Syria’s membership, tens of thousands of pro-government demonstrators took to the streets of Damascus in protest, many holding signs that read, “You Arab leaders are the tails of Obama.” Angry crowds numbering in the thousands attacked foreign embassies and consulates in Damascus and Lattakia, including those of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey and France. While no embassy officials were injured, the damage from the attacks was significant, prompting foreign officials to express outrage. 
 
On Sunday, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem had issued an apology on Sunday for the attacks. Turkey also evacuated the families of embassy officials, as well as all nonessential staff, from the country on Sunday. At the same time, the Turkish Foreign Ministry summoned Syria’s charge d’affaires, giving him a formal letter in protest of the embassy attack. The Turkish Ambassador to Syria, Omer Onhon, will remain in his post. France also summoned Syria’s ambassador to the country on Sunday, on similar grounds. 
 
On Tuesday, November 15, the United Nations Security Council condemned the attacks on embassies in Syria. Nevertheless, the United Arab Emirates and Moroccan embassies in Damascus came under attack the following day. Pro-government protestors attacked both facilities with stones and eggs.
 
Foreign Minister Moallem – “Arab League decision on suspending Syria’s membership…a very dangerous step”
At a press conference in Damascus on Monday, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem formally responded to the Arab League’s decision to suspend Syria’s membership, stating that, “the Arab League decision on suspending Syria’s membership and the other provisions it included constitute a very dangerous step regarding the present and future of joint Arab action and the goals and role of the organization.”
 
Russian Foreign Minister – Syria’s suspension from Arab League “wrong”
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov responded to the League’s move to suspend Syria’s membership on Monday, telling Russian media that “We believe it is wrong to suspend Syria’s membership of the Arab League. Those who made this decision have lost a very important opportunity to shift the situation into a more transparent channel,” Lavrov said.
 
Lavrov went on to state that the current crisis in Syria is more complex than implied by the Arab League’s decision. “There has been and continues to be incitement of radical opponents [of the Syrian government] to take a firm course for regime change and reject any invitations to dialogue,” he stated.
 
The Russian Foreign Minister also stated that there were “undeniable instances” of weapons being channeled across borders into Syria and into the hands of members of the opposition. “Weapons are being delivered to Syria through contraband channels via Turkey, Iraq and other countries,” Lavrov said.
 
Turkish PM Erdogan and Jordanian King Abdullah intensify pressure on Damascus
On November 14 during a political conference, Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan told AK Part MPs that, Syrian President “Bashar Assad should see the tragic ends of the ones who declared war against their own people.” Erdogan continued, “I want to remind him that future cannot be built on the blood of the oppressed.” 
 
The following day during further party meetings, Erdogan said of the situation in Syria, “Nobody now expects the [Syrian] people’s demands to be met. We all want the Syrian administration, which is now on a knife-edge, to turn back from the edge of the cliff.” 
 
Also Monday, during an interview with the BBC, Jordan’s King Abdullah told reporters that President Assad should step down. “I believe, if I were in his shoes, I would step down,” King Abdullah said. “If Bashar has the interest of his country, he would step down, but he would also create an ability to reach out and start a new phase of Syrian political life,” he continued. Abdullah is the first Arab leader to call on President Assad to leave office.
 
France recalls ambassador
On Wednesday, November 16, French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe announced that France was recalling its Ambassador to Syria in response to the attacks against the French mission carried out by government supporters over the weekend. “New violence is taking place and that has led to the closure of the missions in Aleppo and Latakia and to the recall of our ambassador to Paris,” Juppe said. “The noose is tightening around this completely autistic regime that continues to carry out bloody repression. The Syrian people will win the battle and France will do all it can to help them,” Juppe continued. 
 
Economic Development 
 
Impact of Syria’s economic crisis under renewed scrutiny
Syria’s deepening economic woes came under heightened scrutiny this week, with a number of reports published on its likely impact on the survival of the country’s government. Unfortunately, all of them recap oft-repeated analyses. Some examples:
 
“Syria’s Economy is Key to Assad’s Future” – The Washington Post – Liz Sly argues that Syria’s loss of regional support from the Arab League will expedite the unraveling of the country’s economy, dealing “an important psychological blow to a regime that has long prided itself as a champion of Arab nationalist causes”. Sly argues that further economic decline will drive members of Syria’s business community to turn their backs on the government. 
 
“Syria: It’s the Economy Stupid” – Transnational Crisis Project – By Armand Hurault. Excerpt: “In an attempt at strengthening the regime and at ‘rationalising’ the social basis of the regime, the economic policy which has been implemented for the past two decades has aimed at co-opting the Syrian bourgeoisie.  The failure of this attempt will be even more obvious when businessmen realise that they have more to lose by remaining undecided about what side they have taken, rather than actively supporting and funding the voices demanding a regime change. The longer this situation lasts, the worse the economic situation of Syrian entrepreneurs is likely to become. This moment may happen very soon.”
 
“Inside Syria’s Economic Implosion” – Foreign Policy – By Stephen Starr. Excerpt: “Syrian business leaders, with much to lose and deeply fearful of the regime’s security apparatus, are unlikely to join the country’s ongoing revolt anytime soon…The government’s rose-tinted pronouncements about the condition of Syrian finances aside, there is no doubt that the country’s economy is in dire straits. The official line is that Syria’s economy is fine…But the facts on the ground are irrefutable. The International Monetary Fund projected in September that Syria’s economy will shrink by about 2 percent this year…”
 
US Treasury and senior Jordanian officials meet to discuss enforcement of sanctions against Syria
On Sunday, Daniel Glaser, the US Treasury Department’s assistant secretary responsible for investigating terrorism financing, held a meeting in Amman, Jordan with senior Jordanian government and banking officials to discuss current efforts to enforce sanctions against Syria. Specifically, the meeting addressed concerns that Syria was seeking to evade EU and US sanctions by channeling money through Jordanian banks. Glaser had previously been in Beirut, Lebanon where he met with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati and Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh to discuss similar concerns. 
 
European Union imposes more sanctions, cuts European Investment Bank support for Syria
 
In its official statement, the EU stated that it “will continue to impose additional and more comprehensive measures against” the Syrian government if the violence does not come to an end. At the same time, EU officials warned that the organization remained unwilling to intervene in Syria more directly. Both the EU and the US called upon Syrian President Assad to step down from power last summer. 
 
The 18 individuals newly placed under sanctions are as follows (text extracted directly from The Official Journal of the European Union):
 
  • Major General Jumah al-Ahmad, Commander Special Forces. Responsible for the use of violence against protestors across Syria.
  • Colonel Lu’ai al-Ali, Head of Syrian Military Intelligence, Dera’a Branch. Responsible for the violence against protesters in Dera’a.
  • Lt. General Ali Abdullah Ayyub, Deputy Chief of General Staff (Personnel and Manpower). Responsible for the use of violence against protestors across Syria.
  • Lt. General Jasim al-Furayj, Chief of General staff. Responsible for the use of violence against protestors across Syria.
  • General Aous Aslan, Head of Batallion in the Republican Guard. Close to Maher al-Assad and President al-Assad. Involved in the crackdown on the civilian population across Syria.
  • General Ghassan Belal, General in command of the 4th Division reserve bureau. Adviser to Maher al-Assad and coordinator of security operations. Responsible for the crackdown on the civilian popu­ lation across Syria.
  • Abdullah Berri, Head of Berri family militia. In charge of pro-government militia involved in the crackdown on the cilivian popu­lation in Aleppo.
  • George Chaoui, Member of Syrian electronic army. Involved in the violent crackdown and call for violence against the civilian population across Syria.
  • Major General Zuhair Hamad, Deputy Head of General Intelligence Directorate. Responsible for the use of violence across Syria and intimidation and torture of protestors.
  • Amar Ismael, Civilian – Head of Syrian electronic army (territorial army intelligence service). Involved in the violent crackdown and call for violence against the civilian population across Syria.
  • Mujahed Ismail, Member of Syrian electronic army. Involved in the violent crackdown and call for violence against the civilian population across Syria.
  • Saqr Khayr Bek, Deputy Minister for the Interior. Responsible for the use of violence against the civilian population in Syria.
  • Major General Nazih, Deputy Director of General Intelligence Directorate. Responsible for the use of violence across Syria and intimidation and torture of protestors.
  • Kifah Moulhem, Batallion Commander in the 4th Division. Responsible for the crackdown on the civilian population in Deir el-Zor.
  • Major General Wajih Mahmud, Commander 18th Armoured Division. Responsible for the violence against protestors in Homs.
  • Bassam Sabbagh, Head of Sabbagh & Associates law firm (Damascus). Member of the Paris Bar. Legal and financial adviser and manages affairs of Rami Makhlouf and Khaldoun Makhlouf. Involved with Bashar al-Assad in funding a real estate project in Latakia. Provides financial support for the regime.
  • Lt. General Tala Mustafa Tlass, Deputy Chief of General Staff (Logistics and supplies). Responsible for the use of violence against protestors across Syria.
  • Major General Fu’ad Tawil, Deputy head Syrian Air Force Intel­ ligence. Responsible for the use of violence across Syria and intimidation and torture of protestors.
 
The following are links to the EU’s official sanctions regulations as published in The Official Journal of the European Union:
 
 
 
 
 
For more details on previous EU sanctions against Syria, click here.
 
Energy
 
Syrian government halts payments toTotal and Shell 
On November 10, the Syrian government stopped its payments for oil produced in-country by Royal Dutch Shell and Total, spiking concerns about the country’s economic viability. Earnings from oil exports have traditionally played a central role in the Syrian economy, last year totaling some USD 3.5bn.  The EU imposed an oil embargo against Syria in September, however, dealing a devastating blow to the industry. Up until just a few weeks ago, international companies continued to receive payments from the government. Production has fallen considerably since the embargo was imposed, with the government ordering a companies to make drastic cuts in output as it fails to find new buyers. Prior to September, the EU market absorbed some 95 percent of Syrian crude exports. Aside from Total and Shell, CNPC of China, Gulfsands Petroleum, ONGC of India, and INA of Croatia, are the other foreign crude companies working in Syria. 
 
On Tuesday, November 17 Turkish Energy Minister Taner Yildiz threatened to cut his country’s electricity supplies to Syria. As Syria currently produces more energy than it consumes and is well linked to both Jordan and Lebanon, such a move would be more symbolic than painful. The electricity supply route that connects Turkey to Syria began in 2006
 
Technology
 
US Senators call for investigation into role of US-based companies in Syrian internet surveillance project
Senators Mark Kirk, a Republican from Illinois, and Robert Casey, a Democrat from Pennsylvania sent a letter to the US State and Commerce departments this week, requesting an investigation into the role of US companies NetApp and Blue Coat Systems, Inc. in the internet surveillance system under development in Syria for the purposes of monitoring the activities of Syrian citizens. 
 
The letter from Kirk and Casey requests that until the State and Commerce departments complete an investigation into both of the US-based companies, US officials should suspend their government contracts. The Milan-based company, Area SpA, is reportedly heading up the project. 
 
Security 
 
Russia will continue to honor Syria arms contracts
On Monday whilst speaking to reporters in Dubai, Vyacheslav Dzirkaln, deputy head of Russia’s Federal Service for Military and Technical Cooperation, indicated that Russia intends to continue honoring its Syria arms contracts. “Since there are no restrictions on the supply of arms to Syria, Russia will fulfill its obligations under the contracts signed with this country,” Dzirkaln said. 
 
Sale of SuperCobra helicopters to Turkey clears US Congress
Relations between the US and Turkey have strengthened in recent months with the US depending in part on Turkey to confront the Syrian government on worsening violence across the country. This week, the US Congress approved the sale of three AH-1 SuperCobra twin-engine attack helicopter to Turkey. The helicopters are set to be delivered in the next few months following technical screening. Turkey’s request for the helicopters, which it uses to fight members of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), has been longstanding.
 
Further Reading 
 
“Arab Leaders Shouldn’t Kill Their People?” – Foreign Policy – Marc Lynch dissects the hypocrisy of the Arab League’s stance on violence and oppression in Syria – and the building of new regional norms in response to such realities.
 
“The Arab Intellectuals Who Didn’t Roar” – The New York Times – Robert F. Worth compares the current Arab uprisings to their historical counterparts across the world, interrogating the value of intellectuals in shaping dissent and revolt. From October 29, 2011. 
 
“The Half-men Respond to the Boy King” – Walls – The outcome of the Arab League’s Saturday, November 12 meeting dissected in its entirety by blogger ‘Off the Wall’. The post also contains the statement of the Arab League Ministerial Committee (Arabic & English). If you read it, be sure to check out this comment on the post by one of Off the Wall’s readers. 
 
“Turmoil in Syria: Reshaping the Middle East” – United States Institute for Peace – A series of briefings put out by the USIP on the dynamics of the Syrian revolution and the manner in which regional players are impacted by and influencing the country’s unrest.
 
“Arab League Sets Syria for Suspension” – Informed Comment – Juan Cole’s take on the factors at play behind the Arab League’s decision to suspend Syria’s membership. 
 
“The Arab League Takes on Syria: Part 2” – Middle East Policy Council – A well done collection of reportage from around the region on the Arab League’s move to suspend Syria’s membership.
 
Democracy Now! Interview with Jadaliyya Co-Editor Bassam Haddad on Uprising and Intervention in Syria” – Jadaliyya – Amy Goodman interviews Director of the Middle East Studies Program at George Mason University, Bassam Haddad, on the possibility and implications of international intervention in Syria. Haddad warns that foreign military engagement in Syria would come at the detriment of the Syrian people. 
 
“Unrest in Syria Divides a Region as a Border Never Did” – The New York Times – Liam Stack covers the impact of Syria’s security crisis on Syrian and Turkish families living along the countries’ shared border. 
 
Two counterbalancing articles: 
“Making Sense of the Syrian Crisis” – STRATFOR Global Intelligence – A backgrounder by Reva Bhalla on Alawi rule in Syria. Bhalla discusses the composition of the army at present, shedding light on both its loyalties and weaknesses. Though posted in May of this year, its content remains relevant. 
 
“Revolts in Syria: Tracking the Convergence Between Authoritarianism and Neoliberalism” – Sanhati – Omar S. Dahi and Yasser Munif illuminate the economic dimensions of the revolution in Syria in a notably well-written article. Excerpt:
 
“The Syrian revolt itself not only contains a rejection of the ruling elite, but has already advanced beyond how traditional dissidents conceptualized the end of the regime. The people on the streets are creating a new reality so far ahead the rest of the population, which has had one way or another to come to terms with an unbearable reality. The internalization of the sectarian discourse and the repression has been deeply ingrained into the minds of many Syrians. Coupled with the systematic dismantling and destruction of civil society, which not only meant the inability to have meaningful discussions on the country’s future, the economy, human development, and democracy but also helped create the impression of a lack of alternative. No matter how imaginary this actual lack may be, many Syrians felt alienated and fearful of each other, seemingly caught off guard by the extent of the suffering of so many fellow citizens. Unable to comprehend how people would march to certain death- and anyone leaving their house in Syria to demonstrate is quite possibly marching to a certain death, unable to comprehend how people would face live ammunition with bare arms, many have gladly taken refuge in lies, conspiracy theories, and plain hatred and anger at the protesters.”
 
Two views on the international response to the situation in Syria:
“How the World Can Peacefully Intervene in Syria” – The Atlantic – Anne-Marie Slaughter covers the possible creation of a safe zone inside Syria to protect civilians from ongoing military incursions; the role of the Arab League in pushing for a UN resolution against Syria; the likelihood of Syria becoming the site of a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Turkey on one side, and Iraq and Iran on the other, and; and Syria’s immediate need for broad-scale humanitarian aid.
 
“Accelerate Assad’s Departure” – The Council on Foreign Relations – Robert M. Danin recommends that US policymakers do what they can to expedite President Assad’s departure from government. Among his recommendations are, the formation of a ‘friends of Syria’ contact group to bring the Arab League members together with other countries opposed to the current government in Damascus; bringing Syrian officials to the International Criminal Court; targeting more officials with sanctions, and; bringing an end to official declarations that NATO, for example, will never wage military operations in Syria – which he believes serve only to embolden Damascus. 
 

 

References made to articles, individuals, organizations or government bodies in this blog do not necessarily reflect or imply an endorsement by The Syria Report. The Syria News Blog is a news service offered by The Syria Report only for the purpose of recapping foreign reportage on matters pertaining to Syria. 

November 11, 2011 – Syria News Blog: A Roundup of International Reportage

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Apparent Collapse of Arab League Peace Deal Amid Continued Violence

Lingering hopes that the Syrian government would implement the peace deal brokered by the Arab League were shattered by unrelenting violence across the country this week. Over 60 people have been killed in crackdowns and clashes since the deal was agreed upon. An address by head of the Syrian National Council, Burhan Ghalioun to the Syrian nation on the eve of Eid al-Adha, however, has left some speculating that a plausible political face of the opposition has been borne from its divided ranks. Nevertheless, the uprising’s death toll continues to climb, with the United Nations now estimating that over 3,500 Syrians have perished since the start of the revolution in March.

 
The Syrian Revolution
 
Protests, clashes & security crackdowns
On Thursday November 3, Syrian military forces waged an incursion in a residential district of Homs, using tanks to shell the neighborhood. Local activists estimated that some 20 people were killed in the assault. The same reports charged that the Homs National Hospital, which is reportedly controlled by security forces, was found to contain the bodies of dozens of men, all having suffered from bullet wounds. None of the reports could be confirmed. 
 
Protests were also reported in Daraa, Idlib and Damascus on Thursday, with clashes between armed elements of the opposition and security forces reported in Idlib. At the same time, government supporters staged massive rallies in Tartous at the behest of Damascus.
 
The day’s violence ran counter to the alleged agreement between Damascus and the Arab League that required Syrian security and military forces to withdraw from residential areas across all of Syria.
 
 
 
An estimated eight people were killed in Homs on Sunday, as tanks continued shelling a number of the city’s residential neighborhoods. Another person was killed in Hama, though no information on the circumstances of the death was reported. Deaths were also reported in Idlib and Damascus provinces. 
 
Twenty-two people were killed on Monday, November 7 during after prayers protests. Some 16 of the fatalities occurred in Homs, when a portion the city was allegedly hit by rockets. Indeed, a number of videos of explosions in the city surfaced on the internet that day, with one in particular depicting a massive explosion. The severity of the violence prompted the Arab League to call an emergency meeting in Cairo, set for the following weekend.
 
On Tuesday, heavy military operations entered their sixth day in Homs. The following day, military crackdowns continued not only in Homs but Hama as well, resulting in 16 deaths. Activists reported that at least 8 people died in the outskirts of Damascus, in one of the worst incursions in the country’s capital region since the unrest began.  
 
Clashes reportedly erupted on Thursday between army defectors and the Syrian military in Deir ez-Zour, the suburbs of Damascus, Homs and Hama. An eight-year-old girl was among the 21 people subsequently reported dead. While reports continue to emerge of clashes between the military and those who have defected from it, no sources have succeeded in ascertaining how many have defected in total.
 
Over sixty people have died in Syria since Damascus agreed to the Arab League’s peace plan.  This week, the UN raised the Syrian uprising’s death toll to over 3,500. 
 
Syrian Ministry of Interior: Syrians who turn over weapons, to receive amnesty
On Friday November 4, Syria’s Interior Ministry announced that amnesty will be granted to those Syrians who surrender their weapons by Saturday November 12.  “The interior Ministry invites those who carry arms, who sold them, distributed them, bought them or financed their purchase and who have not committed any murder to turn themselves in and surrender their weapons to the nearest police station in their district … from Saturday, November 5 to November 12,” the Ministry’s statement said. Those who turn over weapons “will walk free … and receive an amnesty,” the statement read.
 
Burhan Ghalioun’s “Address to the Syrian Nation”
On Saturday, November 5, Dr. Burhan Ghalioun, head of the Syrian National Council (SNC), gave a televised address from Turkey, terming it “An Address to the Syrian Nation”. The eight-minute speech was generally well-received both at home by many members of the opposition, and overseas. 
 
Ghalioun adopted a presidential air, condemning the manner in which the country has been transformed “into a kingdom where power is inherited, where rights are deprived and where dignity and freedom are beyond reach of its people” and charging that Syrians grew “accustomed to this predicament until we could tolerate it no longer”.
 
He spoke of Syria’s future constitution, the manner in which it would protect all Syrian minorities, as well as its future “judicial, legislative and executive system which will be held accountable by the people” – thus limiting the power of the government and ensuring that the people “will choose who governs them through the ballot box”. 
 
The speech covered the efforts of the SNC to represent and advance the interests of the country’s revolutionaries and society more broadly.
 
The overall appeal of the speech left many wondering if Ghalioun would indeed become the political face of the Syrian opposition. For more commentary on it and Ghalioun’s background, click here. Some excerpts:
 
“In your revolt for freedom, you sacrificed your most precious assets until every home in Syria has experienced the loss a father, the rape of a daughter and the arrest and disappearance of a young man or child. And as the pillars of tyranny shook, your courage, determination and capacity to sacrifice has captured the world’s admiration…”
 
“From this day onward, Syria is home to freedom and dignity, free of all discrimination, injustice and exclusion. Syria is one nation for a united Syrian people with no reference to majorities and minorities, religion, sect or regional affiliation. It is a country where the principles of citizenship and equality reign and where people are judged on the basis of their capacities to give and sacrifice for the sake of their country…”
 
“History has taught us that regimes based on corruption, oppression and slavery are bound to fail: all unjust rulers who detain its youth, steal the wealth of the country and kill its people inevitably come to an end…”
 
“The Syrian National Council is fighting a political battle with you, and on your behalf, at home and abroad. It is your Council, your voice heard by the world to defend your cause…”
 
“We will continue to mobilize local, regional and international support for our just cause. The regime is still intent on drawing the country into chaos and civil war, but we will resist by uniting until we are victorious…”
 
To view a video of the speech (in Arabic), click here. For a complete English translation of the speech, click here. 
 
Syrian National Councils seeks diplomatic recognition
In a letter to the Arab League on Tuesday, November 8, the Syrian National Council (SNC) moved to be considered “the legitimate representative of the Syrian revolution and people“. The SNC also urged the League to “take a strong and effective position against the Syrian regime commensurate with the dangerous development of the situation in Syria, especially in… Homs.”
 
International Committee of the Red Cross seeking increased access to Syrian prisons
In an interview with Reuters last week, Jakob Kellenberger, president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), said that the ICRC is pushing the Syrian government to grant it broader access to the country’s detention centers. While the Syrian government granted the organization access to Damascus central prison in September, it has not allowed the organization to visit any others. Activists charge that some 30,000 people have been detained since the start of the revolution in March. 
 
 
The ICRC will be allowed to visit a detention center in Aleppo in the coming weeks, after which the organization will reevaluate its role in Syria. “I would like to see now how the next visit will go, that would be Aleppo, in order to see a little bit if we have understood each other well,” Kellenberger explained. “We will certainly have a thorough examination internally after this first phase on the merits of our visits. I have to say that the first visit has shown still that we need to talk to each other in much more detail” regarding the terms of the visits, he continued. 
 
“We have big concerns. But I mean the fact is we are the only ones who are in a position, who are accepted to do this work,” Kellenberger said. “The big challenge is to try to see these people. I am aware that there will be places where it would be even more urgent that we can go than the places where we go now,” he continued.
 
Another component of the Arab Leagues recent deal with Damascus, is the release of the country’s thousands of political prisoners – though no timeline for such a move was set forth. 
 
International Politics & DIplomacy
 
Lebanese PM Mikati confirms kidnapping of Syrian opposition figures in Lebanon
On November 4, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati confirmed in an interview with the BBC’s Arabic service that a number of Syrian opposition members had been kidnapped in Lebanon in previous months. Mikati termed the kidnappings  “individual cases”, not common occurrences. 
 
“This happened several months ago, before the formation of the government” in June, Mikati said of the abductions. “There are individual cases, but we cannot generalize and say the entire situation is unstable. Yes, there were some incidents, but of an individual character,” he added. 
 
Regarding the uprising in Syria, Mikati said “we are not partisan, neither for nor against … We have adopted a position of neutrality.” He continued, “Syria is a neighboring country, and we have decided to stay out of it. We want to preserve the unity of Lebanon.” 
 
Lebanese Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour, however, who represents the Hezbollah-led majority of the Lebanese government, has taken a firm stance in support of the current Syrian government. 
 
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights – serious risk of Syria descending into armed struggle
On Wednesday, November 9, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, warned that Syria was at risk of falling into armed conflict. During a UN Security Council meeting, Pillay stated that “It happened in Libya; it may happen in Syria. More and more soldiers refuse to become complicit in international crimes and are changing sides.”
 
“Where basic human rights are trampled and peaceful demands for change met by brutal violence, people are eventually compelled to have recourse to rebellion against tyranny and oppression,” Pillay stated. “There is a serious risk of Syria descending into armed struggle,” he continued. 
 
Commentary on the collapse of the Arab League’s peace deal 
The apparent collapse of the Syrian peace agreement brokered by the Arab League, has led to speculation as to the ultimate causes of deal’s failure. 
 
Many political analysts speculate that Syrian officials never intended to implement the terms of the agreement, which called for the withdrawal of security and military forces from cities and residential neighborhoods across the country, the release of all those detained since the start of the revolution, and the initiation of national dialogue. Indeed, some believe that if Damascus actually implemented the peace agreement, it would be setting about the conditions for its eventual demise. 
 
Others, however, charge that the agreement’s collapse is a consequence of the chasm between Syrian military and security apparatuses and the Syrian President, with the former functioning outside of the purview of the latter.
 
The collapse of the agreement likewise calls the League’s overall efficacy into question, undermining its credibility as a regional force, which since the start of the revolutions in the region, has been increasingly scant. It has stumbled to respond in good time and measure to each of the revolutions that have swept across the Middle East. 
 
The League still has a number of options with regarding to responding to the continued violence. It could move to suspend Syria’s membership, which if little else would lead to Damascus’s further isolation. It could also support a UN Security Council resolution against Syria, demanding an end to the violence and imposing further sanctions against the country. This move, however, opens the doors for international intervention in Syria, which Russia and China would likely continue to oppose. Finally, the League could decide to endorse a plan that would protect Syrian civilians, such as some kind of buffer zone in Syria and managed by Turkey.
 
While all such moves would help the League salvage perceptions of its relevance as a regional and international player during the region’s most tumultuous times, none are likely to result in the resolution of Syria’s crisis. 
 
For more opinions on perceptions of the League’s relative weakness, click here. 
 
Technology
 
Milan-based firm working with Syrian intelligence agents to develop internet & email surveillance program 
The discovery in early October by the tech activist group Telecomix, that technology developed by the American firm Blue Coat Systems, Inc. is being used by the Syrian government to monitor and impede internet access in Syria, has prompted a spate of investigations into similar abuses by the Syrian government of other technologies. 
 
The US-based company NetApp recently shipped computers to Damascus that might constitute a violation of US sanctions. 
 
The surveillance firm Area SpA in Milan, Italy is in the midst of developing a network of servers and probes intended to collect emails and data from web-browsing in Syria, that once installed, will allow the Syrian government to collect essentially any information it wants on internet users in-country. The system is reportedly set to be installed under the direction of Syria’s intelligence agents. It will allow the Syrian government to “intercept, scan and catalog virtually every email that flows through the country”.
 
The Milan-based company is using technology developed by both European and American companies to develop the surveillance system. According to the system’s preliminary blueprints, technology will come from the California-based firm NetApp, Inc. and Germany’s Utimaco Safeware AG. For more details on the nature of Area SpA’s system, code named Asfador, click here. 
 
Security 
 
A.Q. Khan denies involvement in Syrian nuclear program, alleged secret nuclear site found to be textile plant
Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan, aka A.Q. Khan, has denied all allegations of his involvement in Syria’s nuclear program. In an interview with The Business Recorder, Khan stated that any such charges “are totally baseless having no authenticity at all”. The “United States wants to treat Syria the same way it has dealt with Iraq and Libya because these two countries had been supporting Hamas and Hezbollah against Israel,” Khan continued. 
 
Interestingly, according to a spokesperson for the UN’s office in Pakistan, the office has not received “any information regarding the claims [about Khan’s involvement in Syria’s program] in media reports from New York”.
 
Syrian Ambassador to the UN, Bashar Jaafari, has stated that the data behind the IAEA’s assertion that the Syrian facility bombed by Israel in 2007 had likely housed an undisclosed nuclear reactor, “lacked credibility” and were incongruent with the organization’s prior analyses of the site. 
 
Meanwhile, The Washington Post published an article this week alleging that private researchers investigating the newly discovered allegedly secret nuclear facility in eastern Syria, maintain that the site is currently a textile factory, and has only ever functioned as one. 
 
Further Reading & Viewing
 
“Syria Undercover” – PBS – Reporter Ramita Navai entered Syria for a number of weeks in September using a tourist visa. She travelled with a number of members of the opposition, filming security raids, rallies, and the manner in which activists organize in secret. Some of the most extensive and contextualized filming on these subjects thus far.
 
“Seven Months into Protests, Syrian Opposition Still Divided” – Middle East Media Research Institute – Among the most comprehensive backgrounders on the Syrian opposition publicly available. Written by N. Mozes. 
 
“The Syrians Are on Their Own” – The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace – Heiko Wimmem argues that while Syrian activists and foreign diplomats blame Russia and China for the international community’s failure to respond more strongly to the violence in Syria, few acknowledge that “the United States and Europe appear only half-willing [to intervene], and are entirely incapable of anything substantial to stop human rights abuses in Syria, or help the country’s opposition in its struggle against the regime”. 
 
“Dithering in Damascus” – Executive Magazine – The Syria Report’s editor-in-chief Jihad Yazigi covers the crisis of confidence that has swept across the Syrian business community as few of its members believe that the Syrian government has any concept of how best to tackle the country’s growing economic woes. 
 
“Why Syria’s Crisis is Political in Nature” – European Institute of the Mediterranean – Raja AbdulKarim critiques the oft-repeated view that Syria’s economic troubles are the driving force behind the revolution. AbdulKarim maintains that the desire to “reintroduce the values of accountability and responsibility for the people in charge of their daily lives” is at the uprising’s core. 
 
“It’s Simply an Announcement of Death” – Jadaliyya – Syrian writer and lawyer Razan Zeitouneh’s interviews with a number of Syrian activists based in Homs.  
 
“Why Hezbollah Supports the Assad Regime” – Al-Akhbar – Amal Saad-Ghorayeb explores Syria’s strategic significance to Hezbollah as the “linchpin of the resistance front”  against Israel and the US. Excerpt: 
 
“Hezbollah’s understanding of freedom as a positive freedom to control one’s destiny and to achieve self-determination, both digresses from and surpasses the liberal preoccupation with the negative freedom from external constraints and hindrances. To be free is not to be left alone but to continually struggle for justice. It is for this reason that Hezbollah is inherently antagonistic to liberal uprisings like Syria’s which focus their efforts on freeing themselves from state control at the expense of the struggle against US and Israeli colonialism.”
 
“Syria: 30 Years On, Are Sanctions Finally Starting to Pinch?” – The Daily Star – Brooke Anderson covers the impact of recent multilateral sanctions against Syria, offering a chronicle of international sanctions against the government. 
 
“Q&A: The Free Syrian Army” – BBC – A brief backgrounder on the Free Syrian Army covering its estimated size, the known scope of its activities, and its relations with the Syrian National Council.
 
“Syrian Capital Flight Intensifies” – The Financial Times – Abigail Fielding-Smith covers the smuggling of cash over Syria’s border with Lebanon, as fears of the instability of Syria’s economy worsen. 
 
Two articles in Al-Akhbar English highlighting debate over the nature and likely outcome of the uprising and violence in Syria:  “Insane Bloodshed, Not Revolutionary Movement” – Ibrahim al-Amin, editor-in-chief of Al-Akhbar, argues that the Syrian revolution has taken on sectarian dimensions, with members of the opposition increasingly organizing with the intent of using violence. Excerpts: 
 
“Over the next couple of weeks, all eyes will be on developments in Syria following the understanding reached between the government and the Arab League on an initiative aimed at fundamentally resolving the crisis. But there are important players who have a different agenda. These can no longer be regarded as small groups that spontaneously took up arms in response to the killing and detention of protesters by the regime. They have acquired the capacity to organize, select their targets, choose who to kill, and carry out their threats…”
 
“The situation appears to be beyond the capacity of any of the parties concerned – including the regime – to decisively contain or control. All the evidence indicates that the operations mounted by the army and security forces have been fuelling these tensions. People are divided about the regime’s actions. Its opponents see the members of the army and security forces as enemies to be overcome, and they define those foes in terms of their sectarian or regional affiliation rather political loyalty.”
 
And, “Revolutionary Movement, Not Insane Bloodshed: A Response to Ibrahim al-Amin” – Salama Kayala’s response to Amine’s article. Kayala argues that the peaceful protest movement remains strong, and that any assessment of the opposition’s strength on the street must recall that those who join the demonstrations, do so at great peril. Excerpts: 
 
“The fact that Syrians are not protesting in their millions does not imply that they are anti-reform or that they support the regime. It indicates that the regime is using tremendous violence against the protesters. This has become a war by the state on the people.”
 
“Participation in protests should not be underestimated in an attempt to portray the current situation as one of a civil war leading to the sectarian division of the country, and where conspirators are gaining control of the movement. There is no doubt that the regime’s use of violence indicates that it is well aware of what restraint would mean.
 
References made to articles, individuals, organizations or government bodies in this blog do not necessarily reflect or imply an endorsement by The Syria Report. The Syria News Blog is a news service offered by The Syria Report only for the purpose of recapping foreign reportage on matters pertaining to Syria.

November 3, 2011 – Syria News Blog: A Roundup of International Reportage

/in /by

The Syrian Revolution

The Syrian government agreed on November 1st to a plan by the Arab League to bring an end to the violence that has shaken Syria for the last 7 months. The League’s plan, which calls for the immediate withdrawal of military forces from all residential neighborhoods and the release of all individuals detained since March, has been met with considerable skepticism at home and abroad. Indeed, the estimated 20 deaths that have occurred across the country since the 1st, serve as compelling fodder for skeptics. Meanwhile, following one of the bloodiest Friday’s in recent weeks wherein some 40 people died amid crackdowns and clashes, The Sunday Telegraph published an interview with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, in which the President warned that “any problem in Syria will burn the whole region”. 

 
Protests & clashes 
On October 27, international media reported that Syrian troops were seen embedding mines along Syria’s border with Lebanon in an apparent effort to halt the smuggling of weapons into the country. The same day marked the end of the eight-day strike in Daraa. According to foreign reportage, the strike was brought to an end when security forces began forcibly breaking into shops in order to compel shopkeepers to reopen stores.
 
Mass protests on Friday October 28 came as Syrian demonstrators called for NATO-led international protection in the form of a no-fly zone. The largest of the day’s protests were seen in Homs and Hama, where an estimated 40 people were killed in subsequent security crackdowns – making the day one of the most violent in recent weeks. Large protests were staged in Kafr Nabl, a town in Idlib province while explosions and gunfire were reported in Qusayr, a town along Syria’s border with Lebanon. Thirteen people were reported in Kufruma, a town in the northwest – a woman and her 12-year-old son among them.
 
On Saturday, Syrian military forces shelled Homs’s Bab Amr district, resulting in the deaths of three people. Raids and arrests were also carried out in the eastern city of Deir ez-Zor. At the same time, reported clashes between the military and armed members of the opposition in Idlib resulted in the deaths of an estimated 10 soldiers and 20 civilians.
 
On Wednesday, 11 civilians were shot and killed at a roadblock northwest of Homs. The roadblock was outside of Kfar Laha village. The attack was perhaps a reprisal for the killing of nine people killed the day before in Homs, the majority of whom were allegedly members of the Alawi sect of Islam. Tuesday’s killings took place after the men forced the victims from the bus in which they were riding. The 11 individuals killed on Wednesday were allegedly Sunnis. If the killings were indeed motivated by sectarian hostilities, they would be among the worst of such killings since the revolution began.
 
Homs on Thursday saw more violence, as an estimated 12 people were killed in security crackdowns in a number of the city’s neighborhoods. Mass protests were also allegedly held in the southern city of Daraa that day, as well as in Idlib and some Damascus suburbs. The deaths and rallies occurred just 24 hours after the Syrian government agreed to a plan advanced by the Arab League, which called for the complete cessation of violence across the country. 
 
President Assad – “Any problem in Syria will burn the whole region.”
On Sunday, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad gave his first interview to Western media since before the start of the Syrian revolution. Speaking to Andrew Gilligan of The Sunday Telegraph, President Assad’s remarks covered the potential outcome of international meddling in Syria, his views of the Syrian opposition, and the traits that he believes can be attributed to his popularity. President Assad conceded that “many mistakes” had been made in the government’s response to the uprising. 
 
Some key excerpts from the interview:
 
 
“We have very few police, only the army, who are trained to take on al-Qaeda,” he said. “If you sent in your army to the streets, the same thing would happen. Now, we are only fighting terrorists. That’s why the fighting is becoming much less.”
 
“We didn’t go down the road of stubborn government. Six days after [the protests began] I commenced reform. People were sceptical that the reforms were an opiate for the people, but when we started announcing the reforms, the problems started decreasing. This is when the tide started to turn. This is when people started supporting the government.”
 
 
During an interview over the same weekend with Russian TV channel, Russia Today, President Assad charged that the Syrian opposition is being funded from abroad. To watch the interview click here.
 
International Politics & Diplomacy
 
Opposition calls for international intervention
As the stalemate between the opposition and the Syrian government drags on, more members of the Syrian opposition at home and abroad are urging for some form of international intervention. The call for such action, however, is by no means unanimous – indeed, the issue has intensified components of the divide between various members of the opposition and their splinter groups. 
 
Below, are a number of articles exploring the issue from different perspectives:
 
“The Vision of the Local Coordination Committees on International Protection” – Facebook – The Local Coordination Committees’ assessment of the “requirements of any international move” to bring an end to the violence in Syria. 
 
“More Syrians Are Calling for a No-Fly Zone—Should We Take it Seriously?” – The Atlantic – Micah Zenko evaluates what a Western air assault on Syria might achieve and what it likely would not, and why some members of the Syrian opposition are increasingly interested in such an option. 
 
“Foreign Intervention in Syria: No Room for Equivocation” – Al-Akhbar English – The latter portions of this article by Ibrahim al-Amin make a number of points relevant to those considering the pros and cons of endorsing some form of foreign intervention in Syria.  
 
“Foreign Intervention: Debating the Taboo of the Syrian Opposition” – Al-Akhbar English –  Ernest Khoury details debate within the myriad branches of the Syrian opposition on the issue of foreign intervention.
 
Turkey sheltering Syrian antigovernment fighters 
Last week, reports emerged indicating that the Turkish government is hosting militant members of the Syrian opposition. According to a report by The New York Times, the commander and tens of members of the Free Syrian Army (FSA), are taking shelter in camps set up by the Turkish government. Refuge in Turkey has allegedly enabled FSA members to orchestrate cross-border attacks in Syria. 
 
According to Turkish authorities, however, their relations with the FSA’s commander Col. Riad al-As’aad and the 60 to 70 FSA members living in the camps, are humanitarian in nature. Nevertheless, the report noted that the Col. As’saad arrived for The Times interview with heavily armed Turkish military escorts – suggesting support beyond humanitarian concerns. The report comes amid growing speculation that Turkish involvement in Syria’s crisis is moving closer to active intervention. 
 
Ban Ki-moon reiterates call for immediate end to violence in Syria
Following one of the most violent Friday’s in recent weeks, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called on Saturday for the immediate end to the violence that has taken hold of Syria since mid-March. Ki-moon said of the Syrian government that it must answer “the calls of the Syrian people for change” with “far-reaching reforms”. 
 
 
Syria agrees to Arab League plan to quell violence, incursions continue
Following meetings on Sunday October 30 in Qatar to discuss efforts to bring an end to the crisis in Syria, the Syrian government announced on Tuesday November 1, that it has reached an agreement with senior Arab League officials “regarding a final document on the situation in Syria“. 
 
 
The plan then states that “after tangible progress is achieved by the Syrian government in applying the terms of the four preceding points,” the League’s ministerial committee will contact and consult with the Syrian government and members of the oppositions with the aim of preparing “a conference of national dialogue within two weeks”.
 
The plan reportedly did not specify dates for the withdrawal of military forces nor when the two-week time frame would begin. While the Syrian government wants any resulting dialogue to be held within Syria – a point to which much of the opposition is opposed – the Arab League has recommended that such talks be held in Cairo. 
 
Damascus’s acceptance of the proposed plan was met with much skepticism by a broad swath of the opposition and foreign and local political analysts, with many saying that the Syrian government agreed to the plan as a means of buying more time, by pretending to go along with the League’s plan.
 
German Chancellor Angela Merkel seeks stronger UN condemnation of violence in Syria
At a press conference in Berlin, Germany on Wednesday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel stated that Germany wants the UN to adopt a firmer line on the Syrian government’s use of force against civilians. Merkel’s remarks came after a meeting with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, during which the two leaders agreed on “condemning the human rights violations occurring in Syria”. 
 
 
Security
 
IAEA – new suspected uranium enrichment plant discovered
 
The IAEA also announced that it was in possession of correspondence between Syrian government official Mihidin Issa and Khan, indicating that Issa had proposed scientific cooperation between Khan and the Syrian government. The newly discovered complex is in the city of Al-Hasakeh and is currently used as a cotton-spinning plant. 
 
The Syrian government continues to deny all charges that it had been pursuing nuclear weapons. 
 
Further Reading
 
“Is Syria in Civil War?” – Informed Comment – Middle East expert Juan Cole evaluates claims that Syria is in the midst of civil war, arguing that the country is close to breaking point – but has not yet arrived there. At the article’s end, Cole advances J. David Singer’s definition of the term (see below) which many seeking to interpret the country’s deepening violence will find of use: 
 
 
“Colonial Origins of the Syrian Security State” – Al-Akhbar English – Michael Provence and Jamal Wakim chronicle Syria’s rise as a security state, attributing the nature of the current system to the structure and contradictions latent within that of the French mandatory rule. Excerpt: 
 
“Liberal language and legal structures characterized French mandatory rule. From the beginning, however, there was an irreducible contradiction between liberal ideals and the imposition of a system of colonial rule by violence or threat of violence. When mandate functionaries encountered resistance from the population, the predictable response was an abandonment of liberal theory and recourse to military suppression, secrecy, and attendant undemocratic practices. Liberal language shrouded illiberal practice and established habits of rule that endured beyond the end of the mandate. The idealism of French liberty and republicanism could not withstand the periodic imperative to employ mass violence against a hostile population.” 
 
“Escaping Mumana’a and the US-Saudi Counter-Revolution: Syria, Yemen, and Visions of Democracy” – Jadaliyya – Ahmad Shokr and Anjali Kamat’s September interview with scholar Fawwaz Traboulsi. Traboulsi discusses the rural versus urban components of the Syrian revolution, the current government’s conception of ‘Syrian exceptionalism’, members of the opposition outside of Syria, and foreign versus popular legitimacy.
 
“Syrian Americans in Syria Feel Unfairly Targeted by Sanctions” – Los Angeles Times – Raja Abdulrahim covers the far-reaching effects of US sanctions against Syria and their perhaps unforeseen consequences. 
 
“US Firm Acknowledges Syria Uses Its Gear to Block Web” – The Wall Street Journal – The article offers extensive details on the US firm whose devices are used by the Syrian government to block internet access. According to the report the company, Blue Coat Systems, Inc., shipped the devices to Dubai last year, believing they were destined for use by a department within the Iraqi government. The report details the types of websites blocked by the government, how many times Syrian web users attempted to access such sites, and details regarding the manner in which visits to certain types of sites – such as those run by the opposition – were monitored. 
 
“Syria to Test Turkish-American Partnership” – Hurriyet Daily News – Ilhan Tanir evaluates changing dynamics of US-Turkish relations, particularly with regard to the two countries’ respective economic interests. According to Tanir, the US Chamber of Commerce has ranked Turkey among nine foreign markets is views as worthy for expansion. At the same time, the issue of how Turkey responds to the crisis in Syria will no doubt put such relations to the test. 
 
“Why Syria and Iran are Becoming Turkey’s Enemies, Again” – CNN – One of the most read articles on Syria in the last week, Soner Cagaptay, Senior Fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, explores how the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) is quickly becoming a key player in the “new trilateral power game between Turkey, Iran and Syria” as the security crisis in Syria deepens. Excerpt: 
 
“…the Middle Eastern “PKK circle”: the more people Assad kills, the more hardline Turkey’s policies will become against Syria.  This will, in turn, drive Iranian-Syrian action against Turkey through PKK attacks from Iraq.  PKK attacks will rise.”
 
Further background reading on members of the opposition:
 
“Meet Syria’s Opposition” – Foreign Policy – Middle East scholar Randa Slim offers up one of the more compressive summaries of the opposition and its key branches, including the Syrian National Council, the National Coordination Committee, the Syrian Revolution General Commission, the Local Coordination Committees, the Higher Council of the Syrian Revolution, the Free Officers Corps, and the Free Syrian Army. The first two, the broadest of them all, are notably divided over issues of dialogue with the current government and the potential role (or lack thereof) of foreign intervention.
 
“Portrait of a Leader: Burhan Ghalioun” – Jadaliyya – Amal Hanano profiles key leader among the Syrian opposition, Burhan Ghalioun.
 
References made to articles, individuals, organizations or government bodies in this blog do not necessarily reflect or imply an endorsement by The Syria Report. The Syria News Blog is a news service offered by The Syria Report only for the purpose of recapping foreign reportage on matters pertaining to Syria.

October 27, 2011 – Syria News Blog: A Roundup of International Reportage

/in /by

The Syrian Revolution

This week, protestors in Homs, Daraa and Idlib provinces implemented sweeping strikes on the intensification of security crackdowns against members of the Syrian opposition. The death of former Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi last Friday left many in Syria feeling emboldened to continue taking to the streets. At the same time, the spate of violent attacks against Syrian security and military forces by armed elements of the opposition continued, resulting in a substantial increase in fatalities among government forces. On Monday, the US State Department called back US Ambassador Ford amid concerns of “credible threats to his security”. Two days later, senior officials from the Arab League arrived in Damascus to hold talks on ways to bring an end to the crisis that has overtaken Syria for the last 33 weeks. 

 
Protests, clashes & the death of Moammar Gaddafi
Friday October 21 marked the death of former Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi and members of the Syrian opposition held country-wide rallies in Syria, reportedly bolstered by the historical development in Libya. The Syrian government deployed security and military reinforcements to the central city of Homs as clashes between armed members of the opposition and government forces continued. According to Local Coordination Committees (LCC), there were 19 reported deaths in Homs that day, while three others were reported elsewhere in the country. 
 
International media reported that many Syrian activists were proclaiming Gaddafi’s death a warning to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. One such example came from Raman Kanjo, a Syrian activist based in Homs province, who said of Gaddafi’s death: “We were very happy with the killing of Gaddafi… It’s a message the Syrian president in specific should heed soon, because he’ s digging his own grave.”
 
 
At the same time, many members of the opposition expressed concerns that the success of NATO’s military backing of Libyan fighters would leave the international community feeling emboldened to launch similar operations in Syria. As Louay Hussain, a well-known member of the Syrian opposition explained, “I worry that the killing of Gaddafi will make foreign military intervention seem like a good idea.” 
 
There were more protests on Sunday, with activists terming the day “It’s Your Turn” in reference to President Assad and hopes that he would meet a fate similar to that of Gaddafi. Two civilians were reportedly killed by security forces in the village of Al-Madiq in Hama provinces that day. One person was killed by security forces at a checkpoint in Mayadeen in the eastern city of Deir ez-Zor while another two were injured in the same shooting incident. 
 
Reports also indicate that there were security raids that day in Dael and Ibtaa in Daraa province. Shops were closed in a growing number of towns in the province over the course of the last week, as residents carried out the longest running strike in Syria in response to government crackdowns against members of the opposition. Reports indicate that troops were deployed to a number of towns on strike as the government attempted to bring the strike to an end. The response by locals, however, was only to close down more shops – many of which remain closed as of Thursday October 27.
 
On Monday, foreign reportage indicated that an estimated six people were killed in Houla in Homs province, as members of the armed forces clashed with men believed to be armed defectors. A soldier was reportedly among the dead. Five people were also reportedly killed in the northern province of Idlib, a Syrian soldier and his son among them. The two were killed by a rocket propelled grenade targeting their vehicle. 
 
Seven members of Syria’s security forces were killed when their convoy came under attack in the town of Maaret al-Noman in Idlib province on Tuesday. Numerous others were injured in the attack which, according to local activists, was carried out by armed military deserters. A number of other similar attacks were reported in Idlib province that day – as well as in Homs. No details were available. 
 
Meanwhile,  three civilians were killed in central Homs on Tuesday during ongoing security crackdowns.
 
In response to the deepening of the country’s security crisis and the ongoing use of extreme violence against members of the opposition, the Syrian National Council issued a statement on Tuesday, calling for the “international protection for civilians“. The statement did not specify the form in which such protection should come. 
 
On Wednesday, residents of the city of Homs as well as of its surrounding neighborhoods staged a general strike over the deepening of the government’s security crackdowns against the opposition. At least 19 people were reportedly killed that day, including nine soldiers who died in a grenade attack in Hamrat, a town north of Homs. Four civilians were killed in Homs and its surrounding neighborhoods – among them, an 18-month-old baby.
 
People in the province of Idlib also reportedly observed the strike on Wednesday, with several protestors killed and related security crackdowns. 
 
In central Damascus, government supporters gathered in the thousands in Umayyad Square, in a show of continued support for President Assad. Many chanted “the people want Bashar al-Assad”.
 
Two new governors named for Damascus and Idlib governorates
On Sunday October 23, President Assad appointed new governors in both Idlib and Damascus govenorates. Yasser Salman el-Shufi wand Makhluf Makhluf were named as the new governors of Idlib and Damascus provinces, respectively. 
 
Amnesty International report on abuses of suspected dissidents in Syrian hospitals 
On Tuesday October 25, Amnesty International released a report, “Health Crisis: Syrian Government Targets the Wounded and Health Workers,” detailing the manner in which the Syrian government is said to target wounded patients in government-run hospitals. According to the report, four such hospitals were investigated, with evidence emerging in support of charges that patients known to be protestors were subject to ill-treatment and torture – some of which was allegedly carried out hospital staff. At the same time, the report indicated that hospital staff thought to be treating members of the opposition, also come under target.
 
Cilina Nasser, Amnesty International Middle East and North Africa researcher, was quoted in a press release about the report by Amnesty International as stating that, “It is deeply alarming that the Syrian authorities seem to have given the security forces a free rein in hospitals, and that in many cases hospital staff appear to have taken part in torture and ill treatment of the very people they are supposed to care for.”
 
“Given the scale and seriousness of the injuries being sustained by people across the country, it is disturbing to find that many consider it safer to risk not having major wounds treated rather than going to proper medical facilities,” Nasser continued.
 
According to government-run news, the Syrian Human Rights Network “denounced” Amnesty’s report on the treatment of suspected dissidents in government hospitals, stating that the organization’s claims “lack credibility and distort facts regarding the situation in Syria“.
 
To read Amnesty’s report in its entirety, click here. 
 
International Politics & Diplomacy
 
Exploring Turkey’s role in the formation of the Syrian opposition
Accusations of Turkish influence over the Syrian opposition were abundant in foreign reportage this week. The US also came under fire for its role in encouraging Turkey to help the Syrian opposition organize and become more cohesive. At the same time, a number of reports came out exploring Syria’s Kurdish population and its links to its counterparts in southeastern Turkey. 
 
The following is a sampling of articles on each of these issues: “Turkey’s Hand in the Syrian Opposition,” by Michael Weiss for the The Atlantic; “Syria’s Kurds: Are They About to Join the Uprising Against Assad?” by Piotr Zalewski for TIME, and; “Obama Administration Does it Again! Empowers Largely Islamist Leadership for Syrian Revolution” by Barry Rubin for Global Research in International Affairs.
 
Coalition of international rights groups calls on UN General Assembly to act on Syria crisis immediately
On Friday October 20, a coalition of 29 international human rights groups issued an appeal to the 193-member UN General Assembly (GA), calling upon the GA to act “immediately” to help bring an end to the violence in Syria. The coalition counts Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch the Palestinian Human Rights Organisation and the International Federation for Human Rights among its members. 
 
The letter to the GA stated that, “It is incumbent upon the General Assembly to take action where the Security Council has failed to do so.” It likewise referred to Resolution 377A of the General Assembly, which stipulates that “if the Security Council, because of lack of unanimity of the permanent members, fails to exercise its primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security… the General Assembly shall consider the matter immediately.” 
 
 
Among the coalition’s demands were, the naming of a UN special envoy for Syria and the deployment human rights monitors to Syria.
 
US Senator John McCain urges US to consider “practical military options” in Syria
On Sunday, US Senator John McCain (R-Ariz.), called on the US to consider the possibility of initiating military operations in Syria. In a statement at the World Economic Forum meetings in Jordan, McCain said, “Now that military operations in Libya are ending, there will be renewed focus on what practical military options might be considered to protect civilian lives in Syria.” 
 
McCain continued, “The Assad regime has spilled too much blood to stay in power. Its days are numbered, but it will use those days to murder more of its own people. In this way, there is no moral distinction whatsoever between the case of Syria and that of Libya. The question is, what can be done about it?” 
 
The Senator went on to concede that he does not “see a scenario right now or anytime in the near future where the injection of US or NATO military action would in any way beneficially help the situation” in Syria. 
 
US Ambassador Ford called back to Washington
On Monday October 24, the US Department of State announced that it had called back US Ambassador Ford from his post in Damascus following  “credible threats against his personal safety in Syria”. 
 
At the daily press briefing, State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland stated that: “Ambassador Ford has been asked to come home for consultations. He has not been withdrawn. He has not been recalled.”
 
“First of all, we want a chance to consult with him, talk to him about how he sees the situation in Damascus… it’s also the case that the situation there is quite tense and we want to give him a little bit of a break,” Nuland stated. 
 
 
In response to Washington’s decision to call back Ambassador Ford, the Syrian government immediately called back its Ambassador to the US, Imad Moustapha. The Syrian Embassy in Washington has released no information regarding any further actions it might take. The week was therefore dominated by commentary on the “tit-for-tat” diplomacy between the two countries.
 
Initial press reports indicated that Ford had been recalled from his post – a move that if true, would come as a surprise to many. In recent weeks, as Ford has stepped up meetings with members of the Syrian opposition and defied travel restrictions to travel outside of Damascus, Ford’s popularity and credibility back in Washington have grown considerably. Additionally, in light of 2012 US Presidential elections, some argue that Obama needs to play up his foreign policy and diplomatic gains and strengths; on the domestic front, his approval ratings are low. Removing Ford from Damascus would be construed by some as taking a diplomatic asset out of play. The issue of Ford’s future return to Damascus will be one to watch in the coming days and weeks. 
 
Finally, Ford is not the only foreign ambassador in recent months to come under attack in Syria. According to this report, some 13 other foreign officials have encountered various forms of abuse by Syrian authorities and those who support them, since the start of the revolution on March 15. 
 
Jordan’s King Abdullah – no one “knows how to tackle the Syria issue”
In an interview with CNN on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum meeting along the Dead Sea on Monday October 24, Jordan’s King Abdullah said of the situation in Syria, “I don’t think there’s anybody in the region or outside who knows how to tackle the Syria issue…I’ve spoken to Bashar twice. I have sent the chief of the royal court to see him on several occasions,” the King stated. “Not that we’ve got anything perfect, but you know, national dialogue and outreach — and they’re not really interested in what we have to say. So we’re trying to keep the channels of communication open and watching with great concern how things are going to develop there,” he continued.
 
China sends special Middle East envoy to Damascus
On Tuesday October 25, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced that it would be sending a special envoy on the Middle East to Syria and Egypt this week. The trip began on Wednesday and is set to continue through Sunday. In Syria the envoy, Wu Sike, will focus on the issue of reform. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said in an official statement on Tuesday that, “We [the Chinese Foreign Ministry] believe the Syrian government should deliver on its reform pledges, respond to the people’s appeals and that all parties should, in a constructive manner, actively participate in the political process.” 
 
Hezbollah’s Nasrallah expresses continued support for Syrian government, terms uprising a “bid to oust the regime”
In an interview with Al-Manar Channel on October 26, Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah said of the situation in Syria, that the Syrian government has come under attack in recent months for its stance as a member of the resistance against Israel and the US. 
 
At the same time, he reiterated his support for the current Syrian government stating that,  “We say it clearly, we don’t want the ouster of the Syrian regime, for the sake of some of the Syrian people, and another regime will not be safe for them.” He continued, “What’s happening in Syria is not a call for reform and change; it’s a bid to oust the regime, the regime who has been fighting US and Israel.” 
 
On the issue of foreign intervention in Syria, Nasrallah stated that “The West would not wage any military war against Syria, because it is neighboring Israel, and they fear this would affect the security of Israel.  External interference will not achieve any goal in Syria now because of the majority’s support to the regime.”
 
Arab League arrives in Damascus to hold talks on Syria crisis
On Wednesday October 26, senior members of the Arab League arrived in Damascus to hold talks with Syrian officials on possible solutions to the crisis in Syria. The visit comes as the end of the fifteen day deadline issued by the League for the Syrian government to implement a ceasefire and initiate national dialogue approaches. 
 
During the League’s last meeting on October 16, officials agreed not to suspend Syria’s membership in the organization – though the possibility of doing so in the future should the government not bring an to its security crackdowns, was left on the table.
 
The team that arrived in Damascus on Wednesday was led by Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheik Hamad Bin Jassem Bin Jabr Al Thani and the head of the Arab League, Nabil al-Arabi. During a press conference at the end of the day, Sheik Hamad told reporters that, “What is important for us is that there are no victims from any side in Syria. The fighting should stop and the dialogue should begin between the Syrian brothers so that, God willing, they agree on points that fulfill people demands.”
 
Many analysts speculate that the prospects for the talks’ success, are quite low. Thus far, the Syrian government has shown no signs of bending under the influence of foreign leaders. More talks are scheduled for early next week. For more commentary on the Arab League’s efforts to respond to the situation in Syria, click here. 
 
French Foreign Minister – the Syrian revolution “will end with the fall of the regime, it is nearly unavoidable”
On Wednesday, French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe told France Inter Radio, that the success of Russian and Chinese efforts to block a UN Security Council resolution on Syria, “is a stain on the Security Council” which consequently “said almost nothing about this barbaric repression” currently underway in Syria. 
 
 
Juppe’s harsh comments come amid deepening speculation that France would support and indeed push for international military operations in Syria – similar to those carried out in Libya. The success of NATO-led operations in support of Libyan rebels – at least in terms of achieving short-term objectives – has led to concerns that the international community might eventually rally around similar operations against the Syrian government. 
 
Economic Development 
 
Syrian Central Bank considers Russian Ruble for transactions
Syrian Central Bank governor Adib Mayaleh said in an interview with Russia Today on Thursday October 20, that Syria might begin using the Russian Ruble for banking transactions if the EU moves forward with banning the use of Euros in such operations.
 
According to Mayaleh, the is now posting the exchange rate on its daily bulletin in the Ruble, in addition to the Chinese Yuan. In Mayaleh’s words, “In the nearest future we will agree on parameters for switching to close cooperation with Russian banks and using the ruble for international settlements.”
 
EU warns Syria of more sanctions 
On Sunday October 23 during a European Union summit in Brussels, the 27 members of the EU warned Syria of the possibility that the EU will levy further sanctions against the Syrian government. European officials stated that the EU “will impose further and more comprehensive measures against the regime as long as the repression of the civilian population continues“. 
 
The EU already imposed further sanctions against Syria earlier this month, targeting the Commercial Bank of Syria. In September, the organization has imposed an oil embargo against imports of Syrian crude. The blocking of a UN Security Council (UNSC) resolution on Syria by permanent UNSC members Russia and China, however, limits the imposition of broader international sanctions such as those imposed against Iraq in the early 1990s. 
 
Transport
 
Syria-Iraq railway set to begin operations in 2012
On Sunday October 23, the General Establishment of Syrian Railways, George al-Maqabary told Kuwaiti news agency KUNA that the railway project set to link Iraq and Syria is in motion, with operations set to begin in 2012.  The railway will enable increased transport of commodities between the two countries, with potential to eventual link southern Europe to the Gulf. The railway is expected to be 150 kilometers long, with trains traveling as fast as 140 kilometers an hour.
 
Further Reading & Viewing
 
“UN Nuclear Inspectors to Visit Syria” – The Guardian – IAEA officials are schedule to visit Syria this week to discuss the Deir ez-Zor bombed by Israel in 2007 amid suspicions that the Syrian government was constructing a nuclear reactor. The visit is the first of its kind in three years. The article contains background information on the allegations and evidence. 
 
“Shoot to Kill: ‘West Wants Syria Government Gone for Good’ “- RT – A video of RT‘s recent interview with Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem. The interview, carried out in Arabic with English translations, details the Syrian government’s stance on government reforms, international intervention in the country, the Syrian opposition and official claims that the opposition are armed terrorist groups, including Al Qaeda operatives from Iraq. The video runs just over 11 minutes. For a transcript of the interview, click here. 
 
“Death of Qaddafi Revives Opposition, and Hope, in Syria” – The New York Times – Anthony Shadid covers the key issues facing the Syrian opposition, with particular focus on lessons learned from the Libya case. 
 
“Syria’s Resilient Revolt” – Wall Street Journal – Amir Taheri covers the evolution of the Syrian revolution and the opposition’s growing hold on an increasingly broad swath of Syrian society. 
 
“Women’s Mass Protests During the Syrian Revolution: A Preliminary Analysis” – Fellowship of Reconciliation – Mohja Kahf explores the role of Syrian women in the uprising and their evolving approaches to civil disobedience. 
 
“The Long Shadow of Damascus: Syrian Refugees Fear Kidnappers” – TIME – Rania Abouzeid reports on the lives of Syrian refugees in Turkey and allegations that the Turkish government is connected to Syrian efforts to monitor and detain refugees suspected of engaging in anti-government activism.
 
“Prominent Syrian Activist Flees, Reveals Identity” – NPR – A report on Syrian activist Rami Jarrah who used the alias ‘Alexander Page’ for months in order to discuss and write about the Syria revolution in international media.   Another window into the complexity of being an activist in Syria – and the issues encountered by those reporting on the revolution. 
 
“US Probes Syria’s Use of Internet Blocking Equipment” – BBC – Following up on reports issued last week that suggested that the Syrian government is using equipment by a US company called Blue Coat to limit internet accessibility, the US government has announced that it is launching an investigation into the issue. 
 
“Tension Mounts at Lebanon-Syria Border” – Ahram Online – and “Syria’s Uprising Creeps Across Lebanese Border” – Christian Science Monitor – Two articles covering the cross border incursions by Syrian security forces into neighboring Lebanon. The most recent of such incursions occurred last week. 
 
“Syria and America: Relations Unravel” – The Economist – A short piece covering the collapse of relations between the US and Syria, as evidenced by the tit-for-tit withdrawals of both countries’ ambassadors from Damascus and Washington.
 
“Journalist Describes Captivity in Syria” – The New York Times – A link to an interview with British documentary filmmaker Sean McAllister who was arrested in Damascus last week will secretly filming for a British news channel. McAllister describes his time in detention and the torture he witnessed of other detainees.
 
Some background reading on members of the opposition. The first three were published in Al-Akhbar’s English edition, the last was published by the blog Syria Comment. Materials include interviews and articles:
 
“Haitham al-Maleh: Yes to International Intervention in Syria” – Ernest Khoury interviews Haitham al-Maleh. Of particular interest are Maleh’s remarks on his support for UN intervention in Syria. 
 
“Michel Kilo: Syria’s Prudent Dissident” – Basheer al-Baker’s backgrounder on Michel Kilo – one of Syria’s best known members of the opposition and writers. Of interest are Kilo’s views on Christians in the Middle East and their role in shaping its future; members of the Muslim Brotherhood and Islamists, and; sectarian tendencies within Syria. 
 
“Syria’s Manna: On Ghalioun and the Trinity of a Successful Revolt” – Othman Tazghart interviews Syrian activist and member of the opposition, Haytham Manna. Manna speaks about his diminished friendship with Burhan Ghalioun, his views on the Syrian National Council, and the “trinity of a successful revolution”.
 
“An Interview with Syrian Opposition Activist Louay Hussein” – Camille Otrakji interviews prominent member of the Syrian opposition, Louay Hussein. Hussein discusses his efforts to build a coalition of opposition forces aimed at building a national plan; the possibility of foreign intervention in Syria, and; his expectation of diminished protests and more bloodshed in the coming months. 
 
References made to articles, individuals, organizations or government bodies in this blog do not necessarily reflect or imply an endorsement by The Syria Report. The Syria News Blog is a news service offered by The Syria Report only for the purpose of recapping foreign reportage on matters pertaining to Syria.

October 20, 2011 – Syria News Blog: A Roundup of International Reportage

/in /by

The Syrian Revolution

Violence deepened markedly in Syria this week, with clashes between the Syrian armed forces and its defectors igniting in Homs, Daraa, Idlib and Deir ez-Zor. Aiming for a semblance of relevance to Syria’s growing woes, the Arab League issued a deadline on October 16 giving the Syrian government 15 days to implement a ceasefire – lest its membership be suspended. The following day, however, ushered in some of the worst violence the country has seen since March 15 – with well over 40 people killed in clashes in a number of locations. At the same time, cross-border raids by Syrian security forces moving into Lebanon and a spate of violent attacks by armed elements of the opposition, are steadily eroding any lingering hopes that Syria’s troubles will be resolved in the absence of protracted conflict – and within the country’s own borders.

 
Protest flash points, security crackdowns, clashes 
On Friday October 14, tens of thousands of Syrians rallied in demonstrations across the country. At the same time, clashes erupted between members of the Syrian military and those who had defected from it. In Binish, a town in the northern province of Idlib, soldiers and deserters engaged in gun battles leading to the deaths of an estimated 10. 
 
In the southern province of Daraa, similar clashes in the town of Haara resulted in the deaths of six soldiers and two army defectors. 
 
In the city of Homs, one soldier was reported killed during clashes. In total, activists report that an estimated 20 people died in Friday’s violence. 
 
The following day, a funeral procession in the Damascus suburb of Midan for a young man killed amid crackdowns the day before, ended violence when security forces reportedly used live ammunition against the crowds. One person died while another five were wounded. The funeral was being held for 14-year-old Ibrahim al-Shayban.
 
Violence in Homs continued on Saturday with three deaths reported by Local Coordination Committees when troops in armored vehicles allegedly opened fire in a number of neighborhoods.
 
On Sunday, four civilians were reportedly killed in Homs when security forces opened fire on a demonstrations near the home of Mansur al-Arassi, an activist currently in detention. Another two people were killed in the neighborhood of Khaldiyeh, when attackers shot weapons from a vehicle. A total of 39 people were injured during both incidents. 
 
The same day, security forces in the northern town of Khan Sheikhun opened fire on demonstrators, killing two.  Another person was killed in Zabadani in Damascus province as some 25 people were arrested, three women among them. 
 
Security forces also reportedly used live ammunition against people participating in a funeral procession in Deir ez-Zor for activist Ziad al-Obeidi.  Obeidi was killed the day before following his discovery by security forces after being in hiding since mid-August. 
 
Monday October 17, saw another surge in violence when an estimated 30 civilians as well as 12 members of the Syrian army were killed amid clashes in Homs. The day’s death toll was among the highest reported in the city since the revolution began. According to city residents, the clashes began in the early hours of the morning, following the deployment of tanks to a number of neighborhoods suspected of harboring army defectors. 
 
According to the Local Coordination Committees (LCC), a further eight civilians were killed in violence elsewhere around the country on Monday. There were also reports that army defectors wages an assault on the Syrian army checkpoint in Qusair, a town near the country’s border with Lebanon. The attack resulted in the deaths of seven soldiers. Another four members of the army were killed when a bomb exploded in a car they were driving in the town of Ihsam in the north.
 
Foreign media report that Syrian activists blame many of the recent and more violent attacks against the Syrian army on the Free Syrian Army, a band of military defectors who are pushing for an armed rebellion. 
 
Activists and residents in the city of Homs blame the city’s staggering death toll in part on the near impossibility of bringing the wounded to hospitals for treatment. Many charge that security forces do not allow ambulances to move in or out of besieged areas. 
 
At the same time, there is an abundance of reportage suggesting that suspected dissidents are killed by security forces whilst seeking treatment in hospitals. Doctors and healthcare workers likewise report that they come under target for aiding the wounded. To that end, the LCC claims that in the last month, some 25 pharmacists and doctors have been detained on charges of treating wounded members of the opposition. 
 
Avaaz, a international human rights groups likewise charges that some 57 patients have been detained by security forces whilst in hospitals in Lattakia and Homs. Members of the Red Crescent have also fallen under attack, with one dying in a shooting incident just one month back. 
 
On Tuesday, violent security crackdowns were reported in the the town of Herak in the southern province of Daraa, with five people reportedly shot and killed during demonstrations against the arrest of Sheik Wajih Kaddah, a local cleric. 
 
Another person was reportedly killed in the town of Qusair while security forces carried out the largest of such operations since the revolution began in neighborhoods surrounding the capital Damascus, closing off roads and erecting new security checkpoints. Two people were killed in Damascus suburbs that day.
 
At the same time, international media reported that a Syrian intelligence officer was killed by a sniper in Idlib, a province on the country’s border with Turkey, fueling concerns that armed resistance to the current government is indeed deepening. 
 
 
Wednesday ushered in more violence, with reports suggesting that some 17 civilians and seven soldiers were killed that day. Eight of the deaths occurred in Homs amid ongoing security crackdowns and in some places, battles. Another eight people were killed in Qusair – among them, a woman and three teenage girls. The woman was killed by a stray bullet, the girls, by a rocket-propelled grenade that hit their home. Another person was reportedly killed in Idlib during a raid by security forces. 
 
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported serious clashes between the military and army defectors in Jussiyeh, a town near Qusair. Reports of casualties are highly conflictual.  
 
The Syrian League for the Defence of Human Rights puts the Syrian revolution’s current death toll at 3,482 people, including 212 children and 99 women. A further 4,232 people have been wounded, while some 191 people were killed by torture whilst in detention. 
 
Inflows of weapons, armed insurrection, self defense
Since the start of the Syrian revolution in March of this year, international and local media have reported that the flow of weapons into the country has steadily increased. The cost of weapons in neighboring Lebanon, for example, has risen markedly, with dealers reporting that a used kalashnikov assault rile has jumped from USD 800 to USD 1500. Weapons dealers also tell journalists that the cost of a grenade has increased from USD 5 to USD 10 while the cost of shotguns, usually originating from Turkey, has gone from USD 200 to USD 500. 
 
The Syrian government accuses groups in Lebanon allied with former Lebanese President Saad Hariri, of channeling both weapons and cash into Syria in support of an armed insurrection. 
 
Two weekends ago, members of the Lebanese army captured a van headed to Syria filled with rocket-propelled grenades and machine guns. Claims that the opposition receives funding and weaponry from militants across the border are as plausible as the assertion that weapons sales are increasing as Syrians seek to defend themselves against violent military incursions and security crackdowns. 
 
International Politics & Diplomacy
 
US Ambassador Ford – denial of possible civil war in Syria reminds him of Iraq in 2004
During a teleconference with the Washington Institute for Near East Policy on Friday October 14, US Ambassador to Syria Robert Ford warned that while the Syrian opposition remain largely unarmed, the violence that is overtaking parts of the country and denials by Syrians that the country could fall into civil war, are reminders of Iraq before the onslaught of sectarian conflict there in 2004. At the time, Ford was then serving as a political counselor to the US Embassy in Baghdad. 
 
Ford went on to assert that the growing violence across the country, is in part the product of a growing number of army defections, likewise noting that it is not possible to confirm the extent to which such defections are taking place. “The Syrian security forces are still very strong, and there is not an armed opposition that is capable of overthrowing the Syrian government,” Ford said. 
 
The ambassador went on to comment on the country’s worsening economic woes, stating that while “business is just terrible,” the opposition has yet to make significant inroads with the Syrian business community.
 
Canadian government upgrades warning on Syria, urges citizens to leave immediately
On Friday October 14, the Canadian Foreign Affairs Department upgraded its warning on Syria, urging any Canadian citizens currently in Syria to leave as soon as possible. The warning read: 
 
 
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay accuses Syrian government of “ruthless repression and killings”
On Saturday October 15, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay, issued a statement accusing the Syrian government of “ruthless repression and killings”. “Since the start of the uprising in Syria, the government has consistently used excessive force to crush peaceful protests. Sniping from rooftops and indiscriminate use of force against peaceful protesters – including the use of live ammunition and the shelling of residential neighborhoods — have become routine occurrences in Syrian cities,” Pillay’s statement read.  
 
 
UN Secretary General on violence in Syria – “killing must stop”
At a press conference in Bern, Switzerland on Monday October 17, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said of the ongoing violence in Syria, “This killing must stop. Immediately.” Ki-moon also urged the Syrian government to allow a UN team into the country to carry out investigations of the more than 3,000 deaths that have occurred since the revolution began on March 15. 
 
India, Brazil, South Africa under fire for inaction on Syria issue
Following the failure of the UN Security Council (UNSC) to pass a resolution on Syria, India, Brazil, and South Africa (IBSA) – each of which currently have non-permanent seats on the UNSC – have each been on the receiving-end of harsh international criticism for their shared decision to abstain from voting on a stronger UN response to the situation in Syria. 
 
In the most recent round of criticism, Nadim Houry, Deputy Middle East Director at Human Rights Watch said, “IBSA leaders shouldn’t sit by and watch as Syria implodes. Their efforts at private dialogue have achieved nothing, and hundreds more Syrians have died in the meantime.”
 
“By abstaining, India, Brazil, and South Africa have failed the Syrian people and emboldened the Syrian government in its path of violence against them,” Houry continued. “Their proclaimed distrust of the Western motives shouldn’t blind them into siding with an abusive government. Syria’s current behavior repudiates the very democratic ideals to which IBSA countries are committed.” He went on, “The IBSA countries should not be the last to wake up to the severity of the crisis facing the Syrian people.”
 
Arab League holds emergency meeting on Syria, declines to suspend Syrian membership, calls for ceasefire
On Sunday October 16, the 22-member Arab League held an emergency meeting in Cairo to discuss the situation in Syria and the possibility of suspending Syria’s membership in the League. Called for by a number of Gulf states, the meeting also reportedly intended to pressure the Syrian government to bring an end to its use of force against Syrian civilians. 
 
The League reportedly met in the absence of Syria’s representative to the organization. Meetings ran well into the evening. The group did not reach a decision to suspend Syria’s membership as it did not gain support from the minimum two-thirds of its membership. A 15-day deadline for the Syrian government to enact a ceasefire was imposed, however, with members also calling for renewed national dialogue. 
 
According to League members, if the ceasefire and dialogue do not come to fruition within 15 days, the body will again hold another emergency meeting at which time, members might vote to move forward with the suspension of Syria’s membership.
 
Yemen, Algeria, Sudan and Lebanon were among the countries who stood in opposition to Syria’s suspension from the League.
 
Suspension from the Arab League is a rare occurrence. While such a move would likely have minimal impact on the course of events in Syria, it would add to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s deepening isolation. 
 
In response to the League’s move, Al-Thawra, a government-owned Syrian daily lambasted the organization on Wednesday, stating, “It is no longer surprising to see the Arab League, which is supposed to be concerned with joint Arab action, turn into an instrument of injustice aimed at destabilizing Syria.” The paper continued, “Following years of inaction, the Arab League has now become a tool of destabilization, and is acting against Arab interests.”  The paper likewise accused the Arab League of being held “hostage to powers following the agenda of aggressors like the United States, Israel and their European allies”.
 
Society
 
Asma al-Assad under renewed scrutiny 
This week, international press revisited the controversies raised in part by the February 25, 2011 article in Vogue magazine,”Asthma al-Assad: A Rose of the Desert”, on the wife of the Syrian president. The article, met with impressive levels of outrage by the general international public, covered the First Lady’s fashion sense and aesthetics, and charitable works, among other airy topics. Indeed, the article was so poorly received in light of Syria’s broader social and political issues, that it was subsequently removed from the magazine’s website (to read it reposted elsewhere, click here). The grave crackdowns against Syrian civilians that have been unflinchingly carried out in the many months that have since passed, have led many to revisit the topic of the country’s First Lady. The following are two such examples, one from major media, another from the blogosphere:
 
 
Further Reading, Viewing & Listening
 
“Burhan Ghalioun: No to International Intervention or Dialogue with the Regime” – Al-Akhbar –  Burhan Ghalioun, a key member of the Syrian opposition and a well regarded figure in the Syrian National Council (SNC), spoke to Ernest Khoury about international intervention in Syria, talk of his assuming a leadership role in a post-Assad Syria, engagement with the current Syrian government, bringing minorities into the opposition, and international recognition of the SNC.
 
Some excerpts: 
 
“We [the Syrian National Council] are only prepared to negotiate with those elements in the regime that do not have blood on their hands over one single issue: how to transfer power, dismantle the existing regime, and begin a transition to democracy in Syria.”
 
“The SNC is a vehicle for liberation that represents the people who are in revolt, and not a parliament. We did not use sectarian criteria to select the 230 members of the General Assembly, the 29 members of the General Secretariat, and the seven members of the SNC‚Äôs Executive Board. We view our people as one, while taking religious and ethnic differences into account.”
 
“The SNC founding statement spells out its rejection of military intervention, and affirms our commitment to Syrian sovereignty and independence. The SNC is opposed to foreign military intervention whether that happens via a NATO mandate or some other way.”
 
“We stress the need for the revolution to remain peaceful. That is its greatest strength, and it must retain it to achieve victory and maintain its profoundly popular nature…For our part we are not counting on deserters from the Syrian army, but on the possibility of major political rifts occurring within the regime once internal and external pressures peak.”
 
“Hezbollah’s hostility to the rights of the Syrian people and its contempt for their sacrifices is unacceptable and unjustifiable by any standards. The Syrian people are not and will not be opposed to the resistance. Syria has territory of its own that is occupied by Israel. That said, the future democratic Syria’s relations with any resistance movements will depend on their willingness to coordinate with the Syrian government.”
 
“Inside Homs, Besieged Centre of Syrian Resistance” – BBB – Journalist Sue Lloyd-Robert secretly filmed life amid the recent turmoil in the central city of Homs, carrying out interviews with residents and activists – video coverage that stands relatively alone for its access to the country’s most besieged city.
 
“Syrians, Not The Regime, Feel The Sting Of Sanctions” – National Public Radio – An audio clip by NPR covering the impact of international sanctions against Syria on the Syrian people. While the international community touts its efforts to punish Syrian officials and institutions responsible for the crackdowns against civilians, the report suggests that the sanctions are having the strongest impact on ordinary citizens. 
 
“NPR’s Deborah Amos: Egypt Can Learn from Syria” – The Global Post – Veteran journalist Deborah Amos ‘grades’ Syrian and Egyptian revolutionaries, granting members of the Syrian opposition ‘high scores’ for their efforts to build civil society in advance of any possible collapse of the Syrian government – and ‘low scores’ for internal squabbling. An interesting perspective on the Syrian opposition for Amos’s personal interpretations of who they are, what they represent and how they engage in activism. 
 
“Syria Uses US Technology in Cyber Crackdown” – Mother Jones – Telecomix, a group of tech activists, came forward this week with evidence that the Syrian government is using technology developed by the American company, Blue Coat Systems, to monitor and block access to the internet. 
 
“Violence Sharpens Syrian Conflict” – The Wall Street Journal – Nour Malas covers charges that Syria is sliding into civil war as the “stalemate between protesters and regime security forces, is increasingly breaking into armed clashes that activists and diplomats worry could escalate beyond a point of no return”. Also covered are concerns that the opposition might formally take up arms, and the issue of divides within the opposition. Central to Malas’s article, are fears that the rising death toll and realities of the deaths of family members and friends, will drive more and more people to take up arms against those who have, or indeed aim, to attack them.
 
“Syria Holds Former VP Incommunicado, Daughter Says” – Associated Press – Reportage released this week suggests that former Syrian Vice President Shibli al-Aisamy, who was kidnapped in May 2011 whilst visiting Lebanon, is likely being held in Syrian detention, raising further questions of linkages between members of Lebanese and Syrian security forces. 
 
“Syrian Refugees in Lebanon Still Face Peril” – The New York Times – Josh Wood covers the security issues faced by Syrian refugees living in Lebanon – cheif among them, linkages between the Lebanese and Syrian governments thus reportedly enabling members of security forces in both countries to kidnap and in some cases kill suspected Syrian dissidents in Lebanon with impunity.
 
References made to articles, individuals, organizations or government bodies in this blog do not necessarily reflect or imply an endorsement by The Syria Report. The Syria News Blog is a news service offered by The Syria Report only for the purpose of recapping foreign reportage on matters pertaining to Syria.

October 14, 2011 – Syria News Blog: A Roundup of International Reportage

/in /by

The Syrian Revolution

Syria’s security crisis intensified this week with clashes between the military and army defectors reported in Idlib, Homs and the southern province of Daraa. Security crackdowns against unarmed elements of the opposition were also reported in numerous cities and towns, including the capital Damascus. In total, over 60 people were killed in the last seven days of violence. Nevertheless, in a statement during official meetings on October 12, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad charged that “Syria has been able to overcome the hardest stage” of the country’s recent tumult, “thanks to its people’s awareness”. Meanwhile, officials from both Russia and China stepped forward this week to urge the Syrian government to push forward with still unimplemented comprehensive reforms. 

 
Protest flash points, security crackdowns, clashes
On Friday October 7, protests in Damascus and the central city of Homs were reportedly dispersed by gunfire, leading to the deaths of an estimated eight people. According to the head of the Syrian Observatory for Human RIghts, Rami Abdel-Rahman, three people were killed in Douma, a Damascus suburb, and four were killed in Bab Sbaa, a district in Homs. Douma has been the scene of serious security crackdowns in recent months and a fourteen-year-old boy was among those killed in Douma on Friday. 
 
According to Syrian activists, protestors were also fired upon by security forces in Deir ez-Zor as well as in the city of Hama. The same sources reported that some protestors burned Russian and Chinese flags, in response to a move by both countries to veto a UN resolution against Syria last week. 
 
Friday was termed “The National Council Represents Me” in a show of solidarity with the opposition’s newly formed Syrian National Council. In Damascus, Riad Seif, a former parliamentarian and now a member of the opposition, was also reportedly beaten in front of a mosque in the neighborhood of Midan. Seif’s injures were severe. Graphic video footage of Seif’s injuries have since spread across the internet.  
 
Meanwhile, during an opposition meeting in a private residence in the northeastern city of Qamishli that day, Mashaal Tammo, 53, a well-known Kurdish opposition leader, member of the newly formed Syria National Council and spokesman for the Kurdish Future Party, was assassinated. His son and another activist, Zahida Rashkilo, were also injured in the attack.  The individuals responsible for Tammo’s killing remain unknown.
 
On Saturday, tens of thousands came out in Qamishli to join the funeral procession for Tammo. According to foreign reportage, the procession evolved into a massive protest and security forces opened fire on the crowds, killing five civilians and injuring numerous others. 
 
 
On Sunday, international media reported that there were violent security crackdowns and clashes in a number of cities across the country, resulting in the deaths of an estimated 31 people. Among the fatalities were 17 members of the army and security forces and 14 civilians. The worst of the violence occurred in Bab Sbaa, where according to Local Coordination Committees, electricity and phone services were cut in some places and tank mortars and machine guns were used by security forces against members of the opposition. 
 
The same day, there was an assassination attempt against the deputy director of agriculture in Homs – the latest in a spate of targeted assassinations in the city. 
 
On Wednesday October 12, thousands of pro-government supporters came out to rally in central Damascus in a show of ongoing support for the Syrian government. Government offices were closed around the day to allow people to go out and join the demonstrations. Many members of the opposition maintain that those who rallied were indeed managed by the state while many analysts believe the massive turnout also reflects the complexity of allegiances in Syria and the still strong support for the government among some. 
 
On Thursday October 13, an estimated 20 people were killed in reported clashes between the Syrian military and army deserters. The clashes reportedly occurred in the northern province of Idlib when army loyalists stormed the town of Binish as well as in the southern province of Daraa – where one civilian was also reportedly among the fatalities. 
 
Democratic Alliance for Egypt backs Syrian National Council
On Tuesday October 11, a coalition of Egyptian activists known as the Democratic Alliance for Egypt extended its support to the Syrian opposition’s Syrian National Council. The Council and the Alliance held a meeting in Egypt that day aimed at strengthening relations between the two. According to Sayed el-Badawi, a member of the Alliance, “At the conclusion of the meeting, the 43 parties recognized the Syrian National Council as a legitimate representative of the Syrian people.” 
 
Just two days earlier, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem had warned that “Syria will take strong measures against any country that recognizes the opposition council formed in Turkey.” 
 
President Assad – “Syria has been able to overcome the hardest stage” 
During a meeting with the Syrian Social Nationalist Party (SSNP) in Lebanon on October 12, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said that “Syria has been able to overcome the hardest stage” of the instability “thanks to its people’s awareness and now it is benefiting from what has happened to upgrade the Syrian situation and make Syria, the country that is committed to its principles, Arabism and patriotism, an example to follow in the region”. The President’s remarks were reported by the state-run agency, SANA.
 
International Politics & Diplomacy 
 
Turkish Foreign Minister Davutoğlu – Turkey “will take all necessary measures” to respond to Syria crisis 
During a television interview on Friday October 7, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu stated that the Turkish government believes that the violence used against the Syrian people has reached unacceptable levels and that Turkey, “as Syria’s neighbor” can also take “many steps” to respond to the crisis. 
 
 
While a number of Turkish media outlets reported that such comments signaled the Turkish government’s intent to go to war with Syria, such interpretations were quickly squashed by the country’s Foreign Ministry.
 
Russian President Medvedev – if “Syrian leadership is incapable” of implementing reforms, “it will have to go”
On Friday October 7, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev urged Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to implement reforms or go. In the same statements to the press, Medvedev warned against international meddling the Syria’s current crisis and encouraged the opposition to “disassociate” itself from its more extremist elements. 
 
“We are using our channels and are actively working with the Syrian leadership, we are demanding that the Syrian leadership implement the necessary reforms,” Medvedev said. “If the Syrian leadership is incapable of conducting such reforms, it will have to go, but this decision should be taken not in NATO or certain European countries, it should be taken by the Syrian people and the Syrian leadership,” he continued. “It is no less necessary to demand of the other participants in the Syrian conflict that they dissociate themselves from extremists in the most decisive way,” the president warned. 
 
Russia, along with China, has come under harsh international criticism following the two countries’ decision last week to veto a UN resolution against Syria on the grounds that it contained language that would enable international military intervention in the country. 
 
On the issue of Russia’s veto of the resolution, Medvedev said, “We understand that Syria is not Libya. But the essence of the text that was proposed was a text once again allowing the use of weapons.”
 
Government of China pushes Damascus for reform
On Tuesday October 11, Chinese foreign minister spokesman Liu Weimin, stated that the Chinese government believes  “the Syrian government should move faster to honour its reform pledges and swiftly start to push forward the inclusive political process with the broad participation of all parties in Syria.” The statement marked the first such criticism of Damascus by Chinese.
 
Harassment of Syrian nationals – Syrian Ambassador to UK summoned by UK Foreign Office, Syrian-born US citizen charged with spying
On Thursday October 13, the UK Foreign Office summoned Syrian Ambassador to the UK, Sami Khiyami, in response to allegations that the Syrian embassy in the UK is intimidating and threatening Syrian nationals living in the UK thought to be engaged in anti-government organizing and rallying. The Foreign Office threatened to expel Khiyami from Britain should substantial evidence in support of the accusations come to light. 
 
According to the Foreign Office, Khiyami was told that the “harassment or intimidation of Syrians in our country [the UK]  is unacceptable and will not be tolerated”. 
 
The accusations against the Syrian embassy in the UK are just the latest in a string of similar claims filed by foreign governments against Syrian officials; Syrian officials in at least eight countries – France, Germany, Spain, Sweden the UK, the US and Canada – have been the focus of similar accusations. 
 
 
Economic Development & Trade 
 
EU imposes sanctions against Commercial Bank of Syria 
On Thursday October 13, the European Union imposed another round of sanctions against Syria, this time targeting the Commercial Bank of Syria. The total number of Syrian entities that the EU has sanctioned is now 19. 
 
In a statement to the press regarding the move, EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton stated that, “Today’s decision is a direct consequence of the appalling and brutal campaign the Syrian regime is waging against its own people.” Ashton continued, “Our measures are not aimed at the Syrian people, but aim to deprive the regime of financial revenues and the support base necessary to maintain the repression.”
 
Security
 
Diplomatic cables suggest transfer of funds from Iran, Syria to North Korea
US diplomatic cables leaked by WikiLeaks seem to suggest that the US has uncovered indications that North Korea was receiving funds from Syria and Iran through a bank based in Amman, Jordan, that were allegedly used for the purposes of acquiring nuclear technology from the country. 
 
The bank in Amman, Arab Bank PLC, is among the most respected in the region. The leaked cables do not specify the amount of money said to be transferred through the bank. 
 
Further Reading
 
“Assad’s Alawites: An Entrenched Community” – Al Jazeera – The third in-depth article by Nir Rosen on the Syrian revolution. This time, Rosen covers members of the country’s Alawi community who support the Syrian government. 
 
“‘We’re building our own Arab democracy’ – Syrian Presidential Aide” – RT – An interview with Syrian presidential media and political adviser Dr. Bouthaina Shaaban on the situation in Syria. Some excerpts from Shaaban’s remarks: 
 
“I believe that October 5th, 2011, when Russia and China blocked the UN resolution, was a historic day. And I hope it will be remembered. The fact that Russia and China used their veto for the good of the people has enabled us to feel, for the first time, that there is a different force in the world, one that stands for justice, neutrality, culture and civilization – and this force stepped onto the international stage to stand equal to Western power. I personally believe that the future belongs to the East, to Russia and China. It is a crucial moment in history, when a new force has emerged to say to the West, “You are wrong.” And the West is definitely wrong, because its leaders share a colonialist attitude, not only regarding Syria, but toward the entire region.”
 
“…Syria doesn’t have just one opposition, but many opposition movements. Representatives of most these movements were present at joint conferences and a consultation meeting chaired by Mr. Farouk al-Sharaa, while others ignored it. I don’t understand what reforms they want to see without entering dialogue. We share Russia and China’s view that it’s impossible to move forward without dialogue. The path of discussion is the path of reform. The alternative is blood-spilling, civil war and inter-religious clashes. And this isn’t at all what Syrian people need. It’s up to the Syrian opposition to protest against foreign interference. The opposition should participate in dialogue with the goal of reform and building a new, better Syria. It shouldn’t listen to those who would turn it against dialogue with the government.”
 
“Unrest in Syria and US Sanctions Against the Assad Regime” – Congressional Research Service – A comprehensive report detailing all US sanctions against the Syrian government and key Syrian figures as well as all US congressional legislation in response to the situation in Syria. The report also contains a list of possible policy options for the US government with regard to Syria. The most detailed of such reports publicly available.
 
“Syria’s ‘Mutilation Mystery’ Deepens” – CNN – More reportage on the mystery surrounding Zainab al-Husni’s reported death. This time, a CNN reporter interviews the girl’s mother, Fatat Malouk, who maintains that the video released by Syrian media of Zainab showing her national ID and charging that she is still alive is no doubt footage of her daughter. However, Malouk believes that it was actually filmed before her death. Malouk maintains that the body of the dismembered girl that she identified in the morgue was that of Zainab. 
 
“Misstep in Turkey’s Neighborly Ties” – Asia Times – Kaveh L Afrasiabi dissects Turkish foreign policy, arguing that Ankara’s “good neighborly approach” is plagued with contradictions, particularly with regard to Syria, that will haunt it down the line. Two excerpts:
 
“…bypassing the attention of Turkey’s leadership is the simple yet delicate point that a bulk of the Middle East does not subscribe to the Western security approach toward the region and, therefore, as long as Turkey is regarded as part of a Western alliance there will be structural limits to how far it can succeed in shaping the ‘new Middle East’.” 
 
And: “Turkey is bound to lose a great deal of its appeal as conflict mediator in the region if it continues to alienate neighbors like Iran and Syria by pursuit of regime change in Damascus. This is in light of its willingness to host Syrian opposition groups which are now setting up shop in Turkey for a Libya-style transitional government, thus overlooking the major differences between Libya and Syria.” 
 
“US ‘Reset’ With Russia On Edge After Syria Vote” – National Public Radio – Michele Kelemen evaluates tensions between Russia and the US over the Syria issue, as well as the former country’s reasons for standing by the current Syrian government and vetoing a UN resolution against Damascus. 
 
“Iraq, Siding with Iran, Sends Essential aid to Syria’s Assad” – The Washington Post – Jody Warrick covers relations between Iraq and Syria during the Syrian revolution, predictably adopting the oft repeated sentiment in Washington: both countries are ‘Iranian puppets’. 
 
References made to articles, individuals, organizations or government bodies in this blog do not necessarily reflect or imply an endorsement by The Syria Report. The Syria News Blog is a news service offered by The Syria Report only for the purpose of recapping foreign reportage on matters pertaining to Syria.

October 7, 2011 – Syria News Blog: A Roundup of International Reportage

/in /by

The Syrian Revolution

In the face of growing international and local concerns of Syria’s potential slide into civil war, the Syrian National Council announced its official formation on Sunday October 2 in Istanbul, Turkey. With a broad base of support across the country’s disparate opposition groups, the Council’s formation marks a key development in the Syrian revolution, giving members of the opposition a representative body and the international community an official organization with which to meet. At the same time, hopes for a powerful international response to the violence that has shaken the country for almost seven months were severely dashed on Tuesday October 4, when Russia and China stepped forward to veto a United Nations Security Council resolution against Syria. 

 
Protest & conflict flash points, security crackdowns
Though protestor numbers declined in the last week, thousands of members of the opposition still took to the streets after Friday prayers on September 30. An estimated 13 people were reportedly killed amid related security crackdowns. Protests were countrywide, with demonstrations held in Damascus, Hama, Lattakia, Daraa, Idlib and Homs. 
 
On Saturday October 1, Syrian rights group reported that government military forces had retaken the town of Rastan after waging five days of intensive operations against members of the opposition – many of whom were reportedly military defectors. According to locals, land and cell phone services in the area where cut, and the highway connecting the area to Aleppo in the country’s north was closed. 
 
Rights activists charged that an estimated 250 tanks were deployed to the area with a population of around 40,000. The same sources reported that around 130 people were killed during the ensuing conflict, including ten members of the Free Syrian Army – a band of defected soldiers who have taken up arms to fight against security forces, and at least 11 members of the Syrian military.
 
According to reportage by The Associated Press, Rastan was taken back under official control in part through mass arrests. Local Coordination Committees told the AP that somewhere between 500 and 3000 people were arrested in Rastan and subsequently detained in schools, a local sports facility and a cement factory. As with all such reports, the numbers are impossible to confirm. 
 
On Sunday, foreign and local reports indicated that hundreds of government workers were sent into Rastan to clean up the town and rebuild some of the infrastructure damaged in the city during the conflict. 
 
On Tuesday, international media reported that an estimated four people were killed during clashes between army defectors and the Syrian military in Jabal al-Zawiya. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, one civilian and three soldiers died. 
 
Spate of assassinations 
On Wednesday September 28, Ous Abdel Karim Khalil, an engineer and nuclear physics professor was killed by gunfire outside of his house in the city of Homs. State media reported that Khalil was killed by an “armed terrorist gang”. Khalil was the fourth academic to be targeted and killed in the restive city in recent weeks. His death has sparked concerns that the country’s intellectuals are increasingly coming under attack. 
 
On Sunday October 2, Sariya Hassoun, the son of Grand Mufti Ahmad Badreddine Hassoun was also killed in an ambush whilst driving in a car to university. The professor he was riding with, Mohammad al-Omar, was also killed in the attack. Their deaths bring the total number of targeted assassination carried out in Homs in the last 10 days to six.
 
Sariya’s killing is among the most high-profile of the recent spate of assassinations. His father, Grand Mufti Hassoun, is the highest Sunni cleric in Syria and maintains strong relations with the Syrian government, his support for which has been unwavering since the start of the revolution.
 
On Monday, a televised funeral was held for Sariya, during which Hassoun denounced the opposition for creating an environment in which such killings could take place, and condemned Sunni clerics for issuing fatwas (religious edicts) sparking animosity toward him. “My brothers who were misguided and carried arms, you should have assassinated me because some clerics issued such fatwas. Why did you kill a young man who did nothing and harmed no one? Those who send weapons and money will not succeed in silencing the voice of righteousness of Syria,” the mufti continued. 
 
Some members of the opposition blame the attack on “insurgents”, others attribute it to “rogue elements” in the protest movement and the government blames it on “a terrorist group”. 
 
To read an interview by Nir Rosen with the Grand Mufti Hassoun, see here.
 
Concerns of Homs edging toward civil war
Some analysts argue that the surge of assassinations in Homs, highlights tensions between the city’s Sunni inhabitants, many of whom support the revolution, and members of religious minorities, whose political allegiances are more mixed. Many are concerned that Homs, as an ethnic and religious microcosm of Syria itself, serves as an indication of the country’s future – with sectarian tensions fueling hatred between those for and against the current government, pushing the country into full-blown civil war. 
 
As analysts and activists have noted, a primary concern is that neither the opposition nor forces loyal to the current government appear prepared to back down from their respective positions. As the nonviolent element of the opposition is losing ground in the face of security crackdowns, more extreme elements are stepping in. If reportage is correct, it seems that army defections have increased in recent weeks – though by all accounts, numbers remain too low to pose a significant threat to the military. Yet, few believe the government will make difficult concessions to the country’s revolutionaries. This could lead the country down a path of protracted conflict.  
 
Opposition formally establishes Syrian National Council
On Sunday October 2, members of the Syrian opposition formally established the Syrian National Council (SNC). The announcement came during a press conference in Istanbul, Turkey and marked the most serious step by far of the Syrian opposition to form a united front against the current Syrian government. 
 
Burhan Ghalioun, among the SNC’s key figures (for more on Ghalioun see here), read the SNC’s founding statement during the conference, stating that the Council was dedicated to  “achieving the wishes and hopes of our people in overthrowing the current regime”. Ghalioun continued, “I think that this Assad regime has completely lost the world’s trust. The world is waiting for a united Syrian opposition that can provide the alternative to this regime, so that they can recognize it. The Council denounces the regime’s policy of sectarian incitement … which threatens national unity and is pushing the country to the brink of civil war.”
 
The formation of the SNC is a critically important move, giving the Syrian opposition an official face and representatives. Importantly, the Council opposes any move to shift the current protest movement in a violent direction. The SNC is likewise firmly opposed to international intervention or military campaigns in Syria, though it does support efforts by the international community to “protect the Syrian people” from “the declared war and massacres being committed against them by the regime.” (To view the Council’s official website – in Arabic – click here.) 
 
The SNC is comprised of a broad swath of representatives from the Syrian public, including secularists to Islamists. While activists had announced that the Council was in the making in September, they had yet to develop its goals and structure and likewise did not have support from all of the country’s key activists. As of Sunday, those issues had largely been tackled. The SNC’s membership now includes representatives from the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood, from the Damascus Declaration group, Kurdish groups, members of the Local Coordination Committees and a numerous other key figures and tribal leaders. It will have a general assembly of some 190 members who are set to be elected next month. Its general secretariat will include 29 members from seven different opposition groups. 
 
The same day that Ghalioun read the SNC official declaration, his brother, niece and nephew were arrested in Homs. 
 
Amnesty International report on intimidation of protestors overseas
On Tuesday October 4, Amnesty International released a new report, this time covering allegations that the Syrian government monitors Syrian activists overseas with the intent of intimidating their family members back home. The report, “The Long Reach of the Mukhabaraat: Violence and Harassment Against Syrians Abroad and Their Relatives Back Home,” details allegations of the monitoring of individuals protesting in front of Syrian embassies, as well as reports of activists receiving direct threats from Syrian authorities. The report spurred a great deal of related international reportage on the issue – see “Further Reading & Listening” section below. 
 
Zainab al-Husni
On Tuesday October 4, Syrian state television broadcasted a video of a young woman who claimed to be Zainab al-Hosni. Just the week before, Amnesty International had put forth a report indicating that Hosni was dead, her dismembered body discovered in the morgue by her mother. The woman in the video held up her ID card and asserted that, “I came today to the police to say the truth. I am alive in contrast to what the lying satellite television stations had said.” Hosni’s reported death had stirred considerable local and international outrage. It has not yet been possible for other sources to confirm the validity of the October 4 interview. 
 
International Politics & Diplomacy
 
US Ambassador attacked, Syrian Ambassador summoned  
On Thursday September 29, US Ambassador Robert Ford and a group of US embassy personnel were attacked while in vehicles heading to a meeting with Hassan Abdul Azim, a well-known Syrian political figure. According to US Department of State reports, around 100 men threw rocks and eggs at the embassy vehicles. While the vehicles were damaged, no one was injured in the assault. This is the third such attack Ford has confronted in recent weeks. His increasing brazenness has improved his standing back in the US, where detractors in Washington – originally opposed to his then recess appointment – are now proclaiming that his in-country actions are working to demonstrate the US’s position on the Syrian government’s management of the unrest than. To that end, Ford’s position was unanimously confirmed in the US Senate on Monday, October 3. 
 
In response to the attack, the Department of State summoned Syrian Ambassador to the US, Imad Mustapha. According to State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland, officials “read the riot act about this incident” to Ambassador Mustapha and reminded the ambassador “that Ambassador Ford is the personal representative of the president [Barack Obama] and an attack on Ford is an attack on the United States.” Nuland continued, “He was also asked for compensation for our damaged vehicles,” noting that “a very strong set of representations were made again about their Vienna convention responsibilities” to ensure the safety of US diplomats.
 
UN resolution on Syria fails
On Tuesday October 4, China and Russia vetoed a draft UN Security Council (UNSC) resolution against Syria put to the council by European states. The proposed resolution, which suggested that Damascus would eventually face UN sanctions, received nine votes in favor and abstentions from South Africa, Brazil, India and Lebanon. (To read the reasons behind India’s abstention, click here. For the UNSC’s official press release on the resolution’s failure – which includes explanations by each of the council’s members for their respective votes or abstentions, click here.)
 
The vetoing of the resolution by Russia China reportedly outraged European and US officials. Indeed, following the vote, US Ambassador to the UN Susan Rice walked out of the session in anger. Such walkouts are rare during UNSC meetings. 
 
Rice has traditionally been an outspoke critic of the failure of major world players to intervene during humanitarian crises. In a statement following the vote, Rice stated that the time for the UNSC to adopt “tough targeted sanctions” against Syria was now. “The United States is outraged that this council has utterly failed to address an urgent moral challenge and a growing threat to regional peace and security,” she continued. In a veiled threat to both China and Russia, she went on to state, “Let there be no doubt: this is not about military intervention. This is not about Libya. That is a cheap ruse by those who would rather sell arms to the Syrian regime than stand with the Syrian people.” 
 
Rice continued, “This is about whether this council, during a time of sweeping change in the Middle East, will stand with peaceful protesters crying out for freedom, or with a regime of thugs with guns that tramples human dignity and human rights. As matters now stand, this council will not even mandate the dispatch of human rights monitors to Syria – a grave failure that may doom the prospects for peaceful protest in the face of a regime that knows no limits.” 
 
“In failing to adopt the draft resolution before us, this council has squandered an opportunity to shoulder its responsibilities to the Syrian people. We deeply regret that some members of the council have prevented us from taking a principled stand against the Syrian regime’s brutal oppression of its people,” Rice stated. 
 
By the time it came to a vote before the UNSC, the resolution had already been significantly watered down by Council members. 
 
Officials from France, the US and Britain all subsequently announced their intent to bring a new resolution before the Council as soon as possible. 
 
Tensions between Hamas & Damascus
The Palestinian group Hamas, once a strong ally of Damascus, has refused to back the current Syrian government and its approach to quelling the country’s opposition movement. Hamas maintains headquarters in Damascus and relations between Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Khalid Meshaal, the organization’s head have reportedly deteriorated in recent weeks. High-level members of the Baath Party accuse Hamas of hedging its bets, publicly stating that it would not take the side of the government nor the protest movement, but secretly channeling funds into organizations run by members of the opposition. 
 
Meanwhile, a number of members of Hamas have said that contacts between Damascus and the group are effectively frozen as Hamas has chosen to “be with the Syrian people on this issue”. Hamas remains a key player in the resistance against Israel and has historically received strong support from Damascus. As membership in the Syrian branch of the Muslim Brotherhood is a capital offense in Syria, Hamas’s connection to the group is a stumbling point for officials in Damascus. 
 
In the face of growing tensions, Hamas has threatened to relocate its headquarters. For more, see here.
 
Economic Development
 
Swiss sanctions target Syrian oil, currency
On Friday September 30, the government of Switzerland imposed a new round of sanctions against Syria, this time banning investments in the country’s oil sector as well as halting the delivery of new bank notes and coins to Syria’s central bank. The Swiss Ministry of the Economy said of the sanctions, “It is now prohibited to approve lending or credit to any Syrian person or entity in the exploration, production and refining business of crude oil.” It continued, “It is also prohibited to delivery or sell to the Syrian central bank coins or new bank notes in Syrian currency.” 
 
As there are no known Swiss investments in Syrian oil, the impact of the move is not expected to be significant. 
 
Syria lifts import ban
On Tuesday October 4, the Syrian government revoked a ban against the import of a broad swath of goods that it had imposed only a week before. The ban covered cars and electronics, as well as some types of food items and most luxury goods. The ban, intended to protect the country’s foreign currency reserves, was met with domestic outrage. Implemented in the absence of any studies to determine its potential impact, it led almost immediately to a surge in the cost of goods. While Syrian officials maintain that the government has some USD 18 billion in reserves, it is impossible to verify that number and many had questioned the need for the a ban if such reserves do indeed exist. 
 
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan set to impose sanctions against Syria
At a joint press conference with South Africa’s Vice President Kgalema Matlanthe on Tuesday, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced that Turkey will soon impose sanctions against the Syrian government. The details of the sanctions will be announced next week. 
 
“We cannot remain a bystander to developments in Syria any more. Oppressed, defenseless people are dying in serious numbers. We cannot say ‘let these deaths continue’,” Erdoğan said during Tuesday’s conference. “We had a good friendship with Mr. Assad but we have to make sure our friendships are based on principles. If these principles are trampled upon, then we will leave those friendships behind,” he continued.
 
Further Reading & Listening
 
“Reporting From Homs Without Syria’s Knowledge” – National Public Radio – British journalist James Longman spent a few weeks covertly working in Syria. In an interview with NPR host Melissa Block, he discusses widespread concerns that Syria is slipping into civil war. He warns of the need to “be careful about…sensationalist” statements, asserting that in his time in Homs the people he encountered who had taken up arms or defected from the army, had not done so with the intent of waging war – but instead with the aim of defending the unarmed against military crackdowns.
 
“Key Syrian City Takes On the Tone of a Civil War” – The New York Times – Excerpts from the reportage: “The semblance of a civil war has erupted in Homs, Syria’s third-largest city, where armed protesters now call themselves revolutionaries, gun battles erupt as often as every few hours, security forces and opponents carry out assassinations, and rifles costing as much as $2,000 apiece flood the city from abroad, residents say….Analysts caution that the strife in Homs is still specific to the city itself, and many in the opposition reject violence because they fear it will serve as a pretext for the government’s brutal crackdown….Centuries-old connections between sects still knit together the city, even as the suggestion of civil war threatens to sever them forever. The countryside, residents say, is roiled by far more sectarian hatred. Government checkpoints separate Sunni from Alawite.” Importantly, many still maintain that the events in Homs are specific to the area and are not ‘predestined’ to occur elsewhere in Syria. 
 
“The Cult: The Twisted, Terrifying Last Days of Assad’s Syria” – The New Republic – A controversial article by Theo Padnos in which the author puts forth his own interpretation of the “dark force in Syria” that is “not the Alawi religion” and not the “cult of Hafez al-Assad” but instead, the “excessive belief in this realm of unreality”.
 
Excerpt: “How is it possible to void an agreement one makes with the Assads? Much of the power of this agreement derives from the fact that it was never written down but rather exists only in the mind. It is also powerful because it insists that it never be spoken about. “Your eyes on the ground!”… It’s not so easy to repudiate what you can only feel. …Most of the demonstrators in the streets have never lived under any other dispensation. It’s not so easy to insist that the government give way to an alternate reality one has heard about from friends who went on an exchange program to Paris.”
 
“Saving Syria from Civil War” – Foreign Policy – Mona Yacoubian discusses approaches to avoiding the onslaught of civil war in Syria. An excerpt: “Pursuing the regime’s controlled collapse holds the key to saving Syria from sectarian civil war. This strategy should focus on prying Syria’s concentric military and economic power circles apart from the regime’s clannish core. A concerted campaign bent on altering the strategic calculus of Syria’s Alawite army generals and its Sunni business elite could prompt their decision to disavow Bashar al-Assad and his privileged cronies who comprise the heart of the regime. The isolation and demise of the Assads’ clique would then pave the way for Syria’s more orderly transition, avoiding the specter of civil war.” 
 
“Syria ‘Is Heading for Financial Disaster‘” – The National – Damascus-based journalist Phil Sands covers the economic impact of the revolution, including sanctions against the Syrian government, the EU oil embargo, and Damascus’s approach to managing the country’s deepening financial woes. Of central concern is the newly delineated 2012 spending budget, which is set to increase some 58 percent from that of 2011. Local and foreign economists are wondering how such an increase will be funded. 
 
“Revolt In Syria: An Alternative View From Iran – OpEd” – Iran Review – Maysam Behravesh assesses the regional dynamics at play behind the Syrian Revolution, including Saudi, Iranian, Turkish and Israeli interests and maneuverings. An excerpt: “It is greatly difficult to anticipate the future prospects of Syria’s Ba’athist regime. Whether Bashar Al-Assad will survive the uprising or the uprising will survive him, depends on the extent to which his government shows resilience and adaptability and accommodates change and power-sharing. But one thing is for sure, that the more the regime uses violence against civilian dissidents, the greater it exposes itself to instability and vulnerability… Systematic violence in the face of non-violent dissent can take its practitioner, which is usually the state, to a tipping point from which return might not be possible.”
 
“Economic Relations Between Turkey and Syria” – Today’s Zaman – A backgrounder on economic relations between Syria and Turkey for those looking to put Turkish sanctions against Damascus into perspective. 
 
“For Syrian Activists Abroad ‘There’s No Turning Back‘” – The Daily Star – One of many similar articles filed by international media this week. Brooke Anderson covers the debate between Syrians living overseas regarding the risks and benefits of openly criticizing the Syrian government and expressing support for the opposition. 
 
“As Violence in Syria Escalates, Will Many ‘Fence Sitters’ Back Opposition?” – PBS – An audio clip of an interview with National Public Radio’s Middle East correspondent, Deborah Amos, on the mass arrests in Rastan, the organization of the Syrian National Council, the issue of army defectors, and the likelihood of more people joining the opposition. 
 
References made to articles, individuals, organizations or government bodies in this blog do not necessarily reflect or imply an endorsement by The Syria Report. The Syria News Blog is a news service offered by The Syria Report only for the purpose of recapping foreign reportage on matters pertaining to Syria.

September 29, 2011 – Syria News Blog: A Roundup of International Reportage

/in /by

The Syrian Revolution 

The outbreak of armed conflict in Homs between Syrian security forces and armed members of the opposition on Monday September 26, marks the first large-scale battle between the opposition and the government since the start of the Syrian revolution over six months ago. While the opposition has not officially announced its intent to take up arms and many argue fervently against such a move, the momentum unleashed by the opposition’s use of violence will be difficult to control. This development threatens to push the country into the throes of civil war whilst also fueling the government’s claim that it is fighting armed groups, not unarmed civilians. Nonviolent opposition rarely succeeds in the face of security forces willing to take up arms against civilians, however, thus rendering alternatives to insurrection increasingly unacceptable to those confronting violent security crackdowns out on the streets. 

 
Protest & conflict flash points, security crackdowns  
On Sunday, tanks were reportedly deployed to the central town of Rastan in Homs province, as well as in surrounding areas. The deployments came in response to continued unrest in the area, where according to a broad number of sources, activists have increasingly taken up arms in response to violent security crackdowns. Three civilians were injured during the incursion. The same reported indicate that 12 people were killed in Qusseir, another town in Homs province that day.
 
The military incursion in Rastan continued on throughout the week, with reports of heavy gunfire and explosions heard day and night around the town. Videos suggest that protestors were still taking to the streets in the area, regardless of the crack down. 
 
International reportage on Wednesday indicated that, “At least 1,000 deserters and armed villagers have been fighting tank- and helicopter-backed forces trying to regain control” of Rastan. A number of buildings in the town had reportedly caught fire in what foreign journalists are terming the government’s “first major battle with defecting soldiers” since the revolution began over six months ago.
 
Reports of casualties have not yet been issued. 
 
Protestor numbers decline, some take up arms
The numbers of protestors out on the streets rallying arguably reached its peak in July, with millions demonstrating in country-wide protests and areas such as Hama and Deir ez-Zor temporarily falling outside of government control. The month of Ramadan ushered in the unprecedented use of violence against suspected and actual civilian dissidents, with an end result of thousands more arrested and killed. By early September, the number of demonstrators taking to the streets had notably dwindled. This trend continues as the month of October approaches. 
 
Nevertheless, while fewer revolutionaries are taking to the streets, the death toll continues its rapid rise as security and military forces continue in an aggressive campaign to crush the uprising. Activists and analysts are increasingly stating that Syrian revolutionaries have not given up the fight and that while fewer are taking to the streets, more are willing to consider taking up arms to protect the revolution. 
 
This news is not surprising; history suggests that peaceful resistance only succeeds when members of the security and military forces find themselves increasingly unwilling to shoot peaceful revolutionaries. In Syria’s case, those forces have instead demonstrated fierce loyalty to the current government and willingness to fight for it – irregardless of the civilian nature of the opposition. 
 
It seems the Syrian revolution is entering a new phase – likely a war of attrition led by some members of the opposition, whilst others continue to organize peaceful resistance. At present, areas central to the former component of the revolution include Homs and Idlib, where large numbers of military deserters and armed members of the opposition have reportedly taken hold of certain neighborhoods and small towns. As the revolution moves forward, these regions in particular, will test the strength and cohesiveness of the Syrian military. 
 
Middle East expert Vali Nasr of The Fletcher School explained, “The opposition to the government is gradually transforming into more of an armed resistance. The brutality of the regime has become enormous and there is increasing pressure on people to defend their families and their villages. They clearly have won a moral argument against the government, but physically it doesn’t protect them.” Nasr continued, “The argument for arming yourself is very strong, whether you think Assad is going to survive or fall. People are becoming increasingly unconvinced a peaceful transition is in the cards. So either the regime will survive with enormous brutality or it will fall to chaos and violence. Either way, people are taking to arms.”
 
However, many activists are deeply opposed to the revolution adopting militant methods. In a statement a month ago, the Local Coordination Committees asserted that, “While we understand the motivation to take up arms or call for military intervention, we specifically reject this position. Militarization would … erode the moral superiority that has characterized the revolution since its beginning.” 
 
Free Syrian Army, defections, sectarian tensions
A group of defectors from the Syrian army have reportedly joined forces to begin organizing armed opposition to the Syrian government. At present, it is difficult for journalists to ascertain the scope of the group’s organization – termed the Free Syrian Army (FSA). Group members claim they number around 10,000 – though many analysts believe the number to be smaller. Regardless, by most accounts the number of army defections has increased considerably in recent weeks. 
 
Gen. Riad Asaad, the leader of the dissident army asserted that this marks the “beginning of armed rebellion”. He continued, “You cannot remove this regime except by force and bloodshed. But our losses will not be worse than we have right now, with the killings, the torture and the dumping of bodies.”
 
According to The Washington Post, diplomatic sources maintain that while the FSA is far from posing a real threat to the current government, it does maintain a challenging presence in Jabal Zawiya along the country’s border with Turkey, in the central city of Homs and in Deir ez-Zor in the east. At the same time, the FSA is reportedly expanding its operations, announcing just last week the formation of 12 new battalions in locales around the country and setting up defensive units in neighborhoods particularly rocked by security crackdowns. 
 
According to the FSA, the group is armed with antiaircraft guns, Kalashnikovs, and rocket-propelled grenades. Such pronouncements are indeed consistent with international reportage in recent months, indicating a stark increase in the volume of weapons and artillery smuggled into the country. 
 
The issue of army defections raises sectarian concerns as the majority of the Syrian army’s low-ranking conscripts are Sunnis whilst the upper echelons of the military are nearly all comprised of Alawis who are and likely will remain loyal to the current government. While this “sectarian imbalance” with time would likely play in favor of the opposition, it could also result in broad scale sectarian conflict. 
 
Zainab al-Husni
On September 13, one month after she reportedly disappeared after leaving her family home to buy groceries, 18-year-old Zainab al-Husni was discovered by her mother in a morgue in Homs. Zainab had been beheaded and dismembered. Her mother had travelled to the morgue to identify her son Mohammed’s body, when she found Zainab. Medics has informed her of another unclaimed body in the morgue bearing her daughter’s name.
 
Zainab’s brother Mohammed had been a prominent member of the opposition and it is reported that Zainab was taken into custody as a means of threatening her bother and persuading him to turn himself over to the police. This particular approach to threatening activists is increasingly employed by security forces. Mohammed was killed on September 10, when security forces opened fire on protestors in Homs. 
 
It is not yet confirmed that Zainab died whilst in police custody. If this indeed proves to be the case, hers will become one of the most disturbing of the hundreds of cases allegedly government-sanctioned torture and killing since the revolution began over six months ago. Zainab’s case has rippled across international media. For more reportage, click here (CNN), here (BBC), here (Amnesty International), here (The New York Times), here (The National) and here (Iloubnan). 
 
Amnesty International: “Arrests and Death Threats Silence Syrian Activists”
A new report issued by Amnesty International on September 27, “Arrests and Death Threats Silence Syrian Activists“, indicates that Syrian security forces have adopted a new approach to quelling the unrest that seems to have contributed to a significant reduction in protestor numbers. Security forces have taken to targeting protest organizers, disappearing them and all those associated with them. Those left behind are confronted with threats from security to disappear and torture friends and family members. Growing numbers of dissidents and those suspected of such activities are never seen again – or turn up days and in some cases weeks later, dead. 
 
University of Pepperdine research team polls Syrians on revolution, political crisis, future
A group of researchers from Pepperdine University conducted an in-country survey of 551 Syrian nationals over the course of the summer, to find out about their political views, sentiments about the current Syrian government and those protesting against it, as well as their overall perspective of the country’s future. While the poll’s methodology and results analyses have a number of issues (small sample size, gender, educational, technological and subject selection biases), it nevertheless makes for an interesting read. For a recap of the results by Foreign Policy, click here. For the full report entitled, “Survey FIndings: Syria 2011 Public Opinion Survey,” click here. 
 
International Politics & Diplomacy
 
US Ambassador Ford – “time is not on the side of the [Syrian] government”
In an interview with Reuters on Thursday September 22, US Ambassador to Syria Robert Ford asserted that the intensification of government crackdowns against members of the Syrian opposition only risked pushing the country farther down the road to full-on sectarian conflict and civil war. According to Ford, “The government violence is actually creating retaliation and creating even more violence in our analysis, and it is also increasing the risk of sectarian conflict.” Most of the violence “is coming from the government and its security forces,” said Ford. “That can either be shooting at peaceful protests or funeral processions or when government forces go into homes. We have had recently a number of deaths in custody, or extra-judicial killings,” he continued. 
 
On the issue of the Syrian opposition and its questionable cohesiveness, Ford stated that “The other part of the protest movement is to have a genuine frame for a democratic transition. I think that this is something which different elements of the Syrian opposition are trying to organize. It probably has two elements. One element is to have some agreed principles about how a reformed Syrian state would look and how it would operate, and another element would be how would a Syrian transition be arranged.” 
 
“I don’t think that the Syrian government today, September 22, is close to collapse. I think time is against the regime because the economy is going into a more difficult situation, the protest movement is continuing and little by little groups that used to support the government are beginning to change,” Ford said. 
 
Ford sees the Syrian army as strong and cohesive, but believes that “time is not on the side of the government” due to increasing reports in September of army desertions. 
 
Turkey seizes Syrian ship, announces arms embargo
On September 23, Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan announced that Turkey had seized a Syrian-flagged ship in Marmara. No further details on the location of the ship or its contents were disclosed. 
 
In response to the move, Erdogan stated that, “We have already made a decision to stop and prevent any vehicle carrying any type of weapon to Syria. We told them our decision as well as shared it with neighboring countries. As you recall, we had previously made an interception to a ship in Marmara. If there are planes carrying weapons, or such shipments by land, then we would stop and confiscate them as in the past.” 
 
Earlier in the week, Turkish authorities has announced that Ankara was officially suspending its talks with Damascus and that it was considering imposing sanctions agains the Syrian government. 
 
EU imposes more sanctions against Syria
On Friday September 23, the European Union imposed another round of sanctions against the Syrian government, this time targeting foreign investment in the country’s oil industry. The sanctions prohibit European investment in Syrian ventures  “engaged in exploration, production and refining crude oil, both in their country and abroad”. The sanctions were imposed due to “the continuing brutal campaign” against Syrian civilians and members of the opposition. 
 
Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan on Syrian government – “You can never remain in power through cruelty” 
 
On his relationship with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Erdogan stated that, “If you’re going to act against the fundamental rights, liberties and the law, you will lose your position in my heart as my brother and my friend,” Erdogan said. “I was very patient. Patience, patience, patience. And then I cracked.” 
 
French Ambassador Chevallier attacked in Damascus 
On Saturday September 24, the French Ambassador to Syria Eric Chevallier was attacked by pro-government crowds in Damascus’s old city. The ambassador had reportedly just met with Greek Orthodox Patriarch Ignace IV when he was attacked by young people throwing eggs and stones. The ambassador was not seriously injured. 
 
UK Ambassador to Syria blogs – “The Truth Is What Big Brother Says It Is” 
On September 26, Ambassador to Syria Simon Collis started a blog on the Syrian revolution. His first entry was notably ‘undiplomatic’, adopting an approach to creative diplomacy similar to US Ambassador Ford, and overtly criticizing the Syrian government and its ‘sham’ reforms.  An abbreviated version of the post is as follows: 
 
“I’ve been British Ambassador in Syria for the last four years. Last weekend I decided to start this blog after Syria passed a terrible milestone…
 
“The Syrian regime doesn’t want you to know that its security forces and the gangs that support them are killing, arresting and abusing mostly peaceful protesters: The UN says over 2,700 people have died in the last six months, some of them under torture in prison. It doesn’t want you to know that it is preventing many from meeting peacefully to discuss reform. It wants you to hear only one version of the truth – its own. And to see only one way out – the return to authoritarian rule where fear surpasses a desire for freedom…
 
“I suppose we all learn early in life that there’s quite a difference between saying something and doing it.  Like pretty much all of its reform programme to date, the regime’s answer to its critics was to announce that there would be a new media law; and that a committee had been set up to draft it. But you don’t need a new law to decide to let journalists in. You don’t need a new media law to prevent the big brother mentality that prevails here. You just need to decide to stop restricting media freedoms, and then to act on your decision…
 
“I’ve got a feeling that this gap between reality and promise will sadly continue. President Assad has announced a big reform programme, several times… But when you read the fine print, what you tend to find is that every path that’s signposted towards increased freedom and openness actually winds back to a chokepoint… 
 
“Even so, brave individuals continue to find ways through to get out video clips that show Syrian security forces firing into crowds of unarmed protesters, or abusing detainees …Regime attempts to dismiss most of this as the fabrications of a foreign conspiracy are absurd.
 
“But without context, it can be hard to make sense of jumpy grainy images. And tragically, repetition dulls the senses. Unless we have some information about what’s happening and why, we risk forgetting that another day, another death is real…
 
“That’s where I hope to come into the picture. As far as I’m concerned this blog will be worth it if it helps to get a discussion going – on this page, with your friends, or even just inside your head – about what’s happening, why it’s happening, and why it matters…” 
 
For the full post, click here.
 
“It’s a matter of self-defense” – US Department of State spokesman Mark Toner on Syrian opposition taking up arms
Mark C. Toner, deputy spokesman for the US Department of State issued a number of significant statements on the Syria issue during a daily press briefing in Washington on Monday September 26. Asked to give a general update in the situation in Syria, Toner stated that, “In general terms, we’ve seen continued oppression by the Syrian government, including credible reports that Syrian intelligence services are imprisoning and torturing and killing relatives of dissidents inside Syria as a means of forcing activists to give themselves up. We’ve seen increased violence over the weekend in other parts of Syria, and we just reiterate our call for the Syrian government to stop the violence.”
 
On the issue of army defections and reports of the opposition shifting toward armed resistance, Toner said “I think it’s not surprising, given the level of violence over the past months, that we’re now seeing …members of the opposition begin to turn violent, or, rather, begin to use violence against the military as an act of self-preservation. I would say that the opposition’s shown extraordinary restraint in the face of the regime’s brutality and demanding their rights through peaceful unarmed demonstrations.” Toner continued, “It goes without saying that the longer the regime continues to repress, kill, and jail these peaceful activists, the more likely that this peaceful movement’s going to become violent. And we would – the onus for this remains on the Syrian government and the Syrian regime that continues to use violence against innocent civilians.“
 
On whether or not the US should encourage a shift toward militance by the opposition, Toner replied “It’s not really for us, frankly, to urge the opposition to do anything. They are – clearly, it’s a matter of self-defense. Again…what we’ve seen so far in the struggle, this largely nonviolent struggle, is extraordinary restraint on the part of the opposition.”
 
Pressed farther on whether or not the US condones the opposition’s use of violence against Syrian military and security forces, Toner replied “…the government’s continued use of violence against innocent civilians, I think, is engendering the opposition to use violence back at the Syrian authorities.” He continued, “I just think that it is a dynamic that has been borne of this ongoing repression and violence against them. It’s a matter of self-defense.”
 
Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov criticizes international response to Syrian revolution 
On Tuesday September 27 in an address to the UN General Assembly, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov denounced growing claims that Russia and its allies in BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) bloc, are implementing an obstructionist policy to counter UN efforts to move forward with a stronger response to Syria’s political and humanitarian crisis. 
 
“BRICS does not aim at confrontation with anyone,” Lavrov told the Assembly. “Its goal is to enhance productive multilateral collaboration to address the urgent problems of the contemporary world,”
 he continued. 
 
 
Economic Development 
 
Syria imposes import ban against foreign manufactured goods
On Thursday September 22, the Syrian government imposed a ban against imports of nearly all foreign goods with a tariff of more than five percent – except for grains and raw materials. The move is reportedly aimed at preserving the country’s foreign currency reserves as the country falls under deepening pressure from international sanctions. At the start of the year, foreign currency reserves stood at an estimated USD 18 billion. 
 
Items now banned from importation include cars and electrical goods as well as luxury items. There are some 51 exceptions to the ban, most of which include medical supplies and certain types of food. For more information, click here.  
 
The move has reportedly already sent shock waves through the country’s economy, with most anticipating a worsening of both inflationary pressures and investor confidence. Prices of affected items have already skyrocketed – in some cases increasing by 40 percent. At the same time, many expect illicit trade to flourish as a consequence of the decision. Further, while the government maintains that such a move is also intended to benefit local industries, as the move is also termed a temporary one, it is unlikely that Syrian manufactures and businesses will invest in expanding their operations when the ban could be lifted at any moment. 
 
Energy
 
Syria forced to cut oil production following EU ban 
On September 26, international media reported that the Syrian government had officially requested that foreign oil companies operating in the country cut back on oil production. The government has been unable to find buyers for its oil outside of the European Union – which previously purchased some 95 percent of the country’s oil exports. Though the government is attempting to attract buyers by offering oil at discounted rates, it has yet to find any buyers. There is now a considerable backlog in the country’s supplies with storage facilities now filling up. Foreign producers have been asked to scale back production by as much as 40 percent. Some fear that the current drop in production will last long after producers find buyers for their product. 
 
The sanctions have had a broader impact that expected by EU officials, as banks are now increasingly resistant to opening letters of credits with Syrian ventures – even if the products will not be shipped to the EU. At the same time, tankers are wary of sending vessels to Syrian ports given the country’s security crisis. 
 
For more related articles, click here (Reuters) and here (The New York Times). 
 
Further Reading and Viewing
 
“Syria: The Revolution Will Be Weaponised” – Al Jazeera – Among the most significant reads on the Syrian revolution thus far, journalist Nir Rosen details the revolution’s slow slide into insurrection. This is the first of two articles on this subject posted by Rosen in the last week. Some excerpts:  
 
“As I spent more time in Syria, I could see a clear theme developing in the discourse of the opposition: A call for an organised armed response to the government crackdown, mainly from the opposition within Syria. Demonstrators had hoped the holy month of Ramadan would be the turning point in their revolution, but as it came to an end – six months into the Syrian uprising – many realised the regime was too powerful to be overthrown peacefully…
 
“The diverse ethnic makeup of Syria makes for a complicated map of allegiances within the country. Christians, by and large, support the regime out of fear of the unknown realities of a post-Assad Syria, while the Druze are sitting in the wings, waiting to see which side will emerge victorious. The Kurds, however, secretly hope for the regime to collapse…
 
“Such is the segregation, that those who support the opposition know little about those who support the regime, and vice versa. They watch and believe different news media, they attend funerals for different “martyrs”, (dead security forces or dead opposition supporters), and they believe the worst rumours about each other and are increasingly divided by an unbridgeable gap…
 
“The overwhelming majority of the opposition is peaceful and unarmed. For some it is a question of principal or strategy; for many it is simply because they do not have access to weapons that would be useful against the powerful Syrian security forces. There are various different armed opposition actors in Syria. Together they have killed around 700 hundred members of the Syrian security forces in various clashes and ambushes…
 
“There are also local self-defence militias and armed civilians throughout various villages and slums. Though many are socially and religiously conservative, they do not appear to consider themselves mujahedin or otherwise fit the stereotype of Islamic extremists. Accordingly, individuals have told me that Islam does provide them with inspiration and strength but they do not fight for Islam and their goals are generally secular.” 
 
“Armed Defenders of Syria’s Revolution” – Al Jazeera – The second installment of Nir Rosen’s reportage on the arming of the Syrian revolution. This article details known clashes between security and military forces and defectors. As Rosen writes, “For the most part, unarmed opposition activists seeking the overthrow of the regime have used demonstrations as their guerrilla tactic. The regime has succeeded in containing or suppressing the opposition, limiting the times and places they can demonstrate. The opposition has failed to expand its constituency outside the Sunni majority or even to win over the Sunni bourgeois of Damascus and Aleppo. Sectarian hatred grows on both sides, leading to early signs of communal violence. At the same time, a more professional and organised armed opposition movement has emerged.” Among such groups, is the Khalid bin al Walid Brigade in Homs – a group of several hundred defected soldiers who have taken up the defense of the areas protestors. 
 
On the scale and methods of the attacks waged by armed elements of the opposition, Rosen writes: “The effectiveness of such small scale hit-and-run attacks is not clear. Opposition members feel they have been pushed to violence by a brutal regime that shows itself incapable of or unwilling to fulfill its promises of reform. However, this level of opposition violence cannot overthrow the regime.” He continues, “It does allow the regime to justify its narrative of fighting armed groups. In addition, it allows foreign backers of the regime, such as Russia, to justify their intransigent support for it. Insiders in the Russian foreign ministry maintain that Syria is in a civil war, with two sides fighting, and not just a government killing unarmed demonstrators. Instead the Russians maintain that both sides provoke each other and respond with violence.”
 
“Syria: New Report Indicates Over 5,000 Deaths Since March” – Spero News – An article detailing the reasons for the sudden near doubling of the revolution’s death toll. While some 3,004 names have been triple-checked by researchers and activists, another 2,356 names had been registered as dead, but had not been officially verified. The article details the complexity of tracking such statistics in Syria as well as allegations of the government’s ‘shoot to kill’ policy –  which are supported by the reality that 60 percent of those civilians verified as killed, suffered from gunshot wounds in the upper portions of their bodies – including the chest, neck and head. The article also discusses the killing of Syrian children – 148 of whom, according to rights group Avaaz, have been killed since the revolution began. According to the same group, 16 of those children were tortured to death whilst in police custody. 
 
“BBC Syria –  Inside the Secret Revolution Panorama” – BBC – A well-done documentary on the start of the Syrian revolution in Daraa. Just under 30 minutes long. 
 
“Fearing Change, Syria’s Christians Back Assad” – The New York Times – Syrian Christians, about ten percent of the country’s population, are increasingly criticized for continuing to back the current government. While some have been active members of the opposition and indeed two key opposition figures, Michel Kilo and Fayez Saram are both Christians, fears of the unknown and the possibility of repression under a new government keep many from throwing their full weight behind the opposition. Such concerns are shared across the region: “The plight of Christians in Syria has resonated among religious minorities across the Middle East, many of whom see themselves as facing a shared destiny. In Iraq, the number of Christians had dwindled to insignificance since the overthrow of Saddam Hussein, driven away by bloodshed and chauvinism. Christians in Egypt worry about the ascent of Islamists. Christians in Lebanon, representing the largest minority by share in the Arab world, worry about their own future, in a country where they emerged as the distinct losers of a 15-year civil war.” Yet, as the author writes, “The formula often offered of the Syrian divide — religious minorities on Mr. Assad’s side, the Sunni Muslim majority aligned against him — never captured the nuance of a struggle that may define Syria for generations…But while the promise of the Arab revolts is a new order, shorn of repression and inequality, worries linger that Islamists, the single most organized force in the region, will gain greater influence and that societies will become more conservative and perhaps intolerant.”
 
“The ‘Fake’ Cities of Syria’s Unrest” – The Atlantic – An article on allegations by Addounia TV that Al Jazeera‘s video and film footage of the unrest in Syria is actually staged in replicas of Syrian cities. According  to Addounia (which is owned by Mohamed Hamsho, brother-in-law of Maher al-Assad, commander of Syria’s Republican Guard and the brother of President Assad), the news is staged by actors with help from French and American directors. As author Nate Berg sardonically notes: “…if such a monumental building project were to take place, a pretty surreal alternate reality could be created. Maybe the Syrian government could even follow its own line of reasoning and build some fake cities to counter the fake cities … they could film a smoothly-functioning government that respects the will of its people. In Syria right now, a film set in a fake city might be the only place to find such a thing.” To view a YouTube video of Addounia‘s original broadcast titled “Addounia TV hitting the crack pipe, 9 Sept. 2011″ by its uploader, click here. 
 
“Robert Ford: Families of Syrian-American Protesters Being Tortured by Regime” – Foreign Policy – US Ambassador Ford confirmed to sources at Foreign Policy that a number of Syrian-Americans who have spoken out against the current Syria government have seen their family members back in Syria subsequently arrested, beaten and in some cases, tortured. 
 
“A Week in Syria” – The Year of Change (Blogspot) – A short but good post by blogger Arabista about her recent trip to Damascus and the contrast between seemingly ordinary life in central Damascus and the military incursion underway in Harasta. 
 
“Harvard Website Hacked by Syria Protesters” – BBC – On Monday September 26, the official website of Harvard University was hacked by supporters of the Syrian government. The article details the attack – and the growing number of related events in recent months.
 
“Analysis: Iraqi Shi’ites Fear Fallout of Syria Turbulence” – Reuters – Rania El Gamal explores concerns among Iraqi Shi’ites of the fallout from the collapse of the current Syrian government. Principal among them, are fears of a reigniting of sectarian conflict as fighting in Syria inevitably pours into neighboring Iraq. Proxy wars between Iran and Saudi Arabia are also of particular concern. A good backgrounder for those looking to better understand sectarian dynamics in the region. 
 
“Syria Faces A New Economic Reality” – Syria Comment – Ehsani offers up an assessment of Syria’s deepening economic woes on all fronts – including the current and future impact of the new import ban businesses, consumers and the government’s ability to collect taxes, inflation, fixed exchange rates, and an uncompetitive manufacturing industry. (Relatedly, for more on how the country’s economic crisis is effecting neighboring Lebanon, click here.) 
 
“Razan Zeitouneh, la frondeuse de Damas” – Madame Le Figaro – An interview (in French) with Razan Zeitouneh, a 34-year-old human rights lawyer who has been in hiding since the Syrian government accused her of working as a foreign spy. Both her brother and husband have been arrested. 
 
“Averting a Civil War in Syria” – The Washington Post – The Washington Post Editorial Board issues its latest advice for US policymakers on how to respond to the worsening crisis in Syria. Acknowledging the existence of an armed Syrian opposition, the Board notes that the US should not support the use of violence in Syria by any side, and that while the US government has ruled out the possibility of intervention, it can still “drop its back-seat approach and lead a more aggressive effort to raise the pressure on Mr. Assad.” The Board continues, “The [US] administration can press Russia, China and the Arab League to endorse tougher sanctions, and urge Turkey to break with the regime and provide protection for refugees. It would be far easier for the United States to act energetically now than to deal with the crisis that a real civil war would create.” 

September 22, 2011 – Syria News Blog: A Roundup of International Reportage

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The Syrian Revolution
On September 18, the Syrian opposition held a crucial six-hour meeting in Syria, bringing young protest organizers and demonstrators together with well-known older generations of dissidents. While meeting participants called upon Syrians to continue protesting in peace, international reportage from around the week suggested that the numbers of protestors out on the streets are dwindling while those still willing to fight for the cause, are increasingly taking up arms. At the same time, rights groups Avaaz and Insan released a report indicating that the death toll from the unrest could be as high as 5,360 – not the 3,004 reported just a week earlier.

 
Protests, security crackdowns 
 
On Friday September 16, security forces moved to crush ongoing after-prayer’s protests, reportedly killing between 26 and  44 people – all reportage on the day’s events remains conflictual. Friday’s violence was worst along the country’s border with Turkey, though some six civilians were killed during a raid in a village not far from the country’s border with Jordan. The villagers were, according to foreign media, hiding some 400 army defectors in the area. Local media reported that security forces were first fired upon by armed groups in the village. The raid reportedly occurred in the early hours of the morning. 
 
Friday’s violence included four reported deaths in and around the capital Damascus, as well as nine deaths in both Homs and Hama and at least three in Idlib province.  
 
Foreign media reported that between Tuesday and Friday of last week, 153 people were arrested in Zabadani – a town northwest of Damascus.
 
On Monday September 19, international media reported that six people were killed during security raids – five in Homs and one in Lattakia.  A woman was among the dead. 
 
On Wednesday, Local Coordination Committees reported that a dozen students were detained in the village of Jassem in the country’s south and that a number of schools in Zamalka, Arbeen and Harasta were surrounded by military forces following student protests. Three civilians in Homs were also reportedly shot and killed on Wednesday.
 
Reports suggest that the number of people taking to the streets in recent weeks has declined as military forces, armored vehicles and tanks are still deployed as the primary means of responding to the unrest and calls for reform. Meanwhile, the human rights group Avaaz and its partner Insan, issued a report on Wednesday September 21, indicating that some 5,360 people have been killed since the start of the revolution in March. According to the report, while some 3,004 people had been killed in 127 locations in the country with their deaths and identities officially recorded and confirmed, another 2,356 people had been registered as dead but had not yet been officially verified. The new number reportedly reflects those individuals. For a full UN assessment of Avaaz’s projections, see here. 
 
Syrian opposition establishes national council, urges on protestors 
On Thursday September 15, members of the Syrian opposition announced the establishment of a national council during a meeting in Istanbul, Turkey. The council is charged with conveying “the Syrian people’s just problems on the international platform, to form a pluralist and democratic state” – according to the Associated Press. In a statement to the press Syrian exile, Basma Kadmani explained that, “The political vision of the council will give a push to the escalation of the revolutionary work we are seeing. This group, based on previous initiatives and on what the street is demanding, is calling for the downfall of the regime with all of its limbs.” To view a video of the official announcement, click here. 
 
Some 140 individuals have been named to the council, encompassing a broad spectrum of the country’s demographics. The names of those individuals named to the council who currently reside in Syria, were not published in an effort to protect their safety. While the opposition has tried on a number of occasions to organize such a group, this is the first time that such efforts succeeded. However, the national council has yet to announce an executive body.
 
In response to the opposition’s move toward unification, US Department of State spokesman Mark Toner issued a statement in support of the opposition stating, “We look forward to the opposition strengthening as it agrees on things like a unified leadership structure, as it builds consensus and articulates a vision for the future of Syria that incorporates rule of law, government by consent of the people and equal rights, as well as economic opportunities for all Syrian citizens. It is certainly not our role to determine what the leadership looks like or what directive its actions or dictate its policies. But we do applaud their efforts under these kinds of conditions.”
 
On Sunday, members of the Syrian opposition issued a statement following an unprecedented meeting just outside of Damascus, calling on the Syrian government to bring an end to its use of violence against Syrian civilians and urging protestors to continue taking to the streets – in peace. The statement also expressed concern over the possibility of foreign intervention and reiterated the opposition’s guiding concept of the “three no’s”: “No to international intervention, no sectarianism, and no violence.” 
 
Sunday’s six-hour meeting marked a rare convergence of older Syrian dissidents and young organizers in the same place in Syria. Though security forces attempted to enter the meeting house (reportedly a farm house) they were turned away at the door. Most surprisingly, they did not make any arrests following the conclusion of the meeting. 
 
Such moves toward unity among the opposition seem to be threatened by dwindling protestor numbers out on the streets. Recognizing that the threat of imprisonment and/or death is a profound deterrent, organizers are reportedly adopting new techniques. In Damascus, for example, would-be demonstrators have taken to releasing thousands of ping-pong balls labeled “Bashar must go” onto the streets. 
 
Shift toward violent opposition? 
On Friday September 16, international media reported that Syrian protestors who had engaged in largely peaceful means of opposition since March, are increasingly resorting to violence – noting that the shift might mark the start of protracted conflict. 
 
According to the same reportage, there has been a spike in armed clashes in Homs, in the suburbs of Damascus, in the north along the border with Turkey, and in the Houran region in the country’s south. While state-run Syrian media has always maintained that military and security forces are coming under attack by members of the Syrian opposition – such reportage, until recent weeks, was largely considered baseless. However, growing numbers of foreign officials and diplomats in Syria have spoken of fighting between military forces and deserters as well as serious ambushes of military vehicles near Homs. Foreign officials report that there are armed insurgencies in Idlib and Homs, and more sporadically in Daraa as well as in Deir ez-Zor. 
 
As with all such reports, it is impossible to confirm the accuracy of the information and the context in which any such events occurred. However, given the deepening stalemate between the government and the opposition and in light of the government’s use of extreme force against unarmed populations, it would not be surprising if such reports were indeed correct. Peter Harling, an analyst for the International Crisis Group stated of the prospects of the opposition resorting to the use of violence, “It is quite simply a trap that the protesters will fall in.” Some activists reportedly agree. 
 
Foreign reportage also suggests that security forces have adopted a more targeted and intensive approach to quelling the unrest – now focusing on capturing and in some cases killing, the “entire leadership of the protest movement”. Harling explained the government’s new technique, stating that “Quite simply, the regime is raising the costs of peaceful demonstrations to force protesters either to quit, in which case it wins, or to resort to weapons, in which case it could corroborate its narrative of a seditious insurgency and probably win also.” 
 
Foreign officials have also put numbers on the army defections – speculating that perhaps some 10,000 had done so and that some, numbering in the hundreds, had formed two rival groups: the Free Syrian Army and the Free Officers Movement. 
 
Red Crescent worker caught in heavy gunfire succumbs to injuries 
On Friday September 16, Syrian Arab Red Crescent worker Hakam Sibai died from injuries sustained a week earlier. Sibai had been evacuating an injured person from violence in Homs when his Red Crescent ambulance came under heavy gunfire. To view a video of the ambulance post-attack, see here.  To view videos of the funeral for Sibai in Homs, click here and here.
 
Sibai’s death sparked broad-scale international condemnation. On September 16, the International Committee of the Red Cross released a statement regarding his death stating: “Yesterday, a Syrian Arab Red Crescent volunteer succumbed to his wounds almost one week after being injured in the course of performing his duties. It is completely unacceptable that volunteers who are helping to save other people’s lives end up losing their own.”
 
According to reports, two other volunteers sustained injuries during the same attack. This is not the first time that Red Crescent workers and their vehicles have come under attack whilst operating in Syria. 
 
Parents of Syrian-American pianist and composer Malek Jandali attacked
In late July, Syrian-American pianist and composer Malek Jandali performed his song, “I Am My Homeland,” calling for freedom for the Syrian people and all others who are oppressed, at a rally in front of the White House. (The song itself was indeed surrounded in controversy – for more information, see here.) His parents still in Syria, were reportedly brutally beaten in retribution, two days later. Last week, gruesome images of Jandali’s mother and father after the attack were posted on Facebook. Jandali’s mother is currently in the US undergoing medical procedures to recover from the attack. His father remains in Syria.
 
Jordanian rights groups term Syrian violence ‘genocide’
Last week, five Jordanian human rights groups, the Arab Organisation for Human Rights (AOHR), Jordan Association to Support the Syrian People, the Islamic Action Front’s (IAF) human rights committee, the National Committee to Defend Jordanian Detainees (NCDJD) and Jordan Youth to Protect Syria, held a press conference on the Syrian government’s alleged human rights violations. The groups collectively termed the killing of Syrian protestors as “genocide” and called upon the International Criminal Court to monitor and document the crimes and the broader international community to work to bring an immediate end to the “mass killings”. 
 
Additionally, the organizations announced that some 253 Jordanian prisoners are being held in Syria – with no Jordanian officials able to establish their whereabouts or health conditions. An estimated 250 Syrian families have also reportedly taken refuge along the Jordanian side of the two countries’ borders since the start of the unrest in March.
 
Syrian refugees in Lebanon approach 4,000
According to a UN Development Programme report released on Friday September 16, the number of registered Syrian refugees in northern Lebanon is now over 3,580 – with some 600 arriving in the first seven days of September. Most have fled violence in the border town of Tal Kalakh and the central city of Homs. 
 
UN Human Rights Council has list of 50 individuals suspected of committing crimes against humanity
On Monday September 19 in a speech to the UN Human Rights Council, Kyung-wha Kang, deputy UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, stated that her office was prepared to furnish a list of some 50 individuals linked to alleged crimes against humanity in Syria to the International Criminal Court – should such information be requested. 
 
International Politics & Diplomacy: 
 
Turkey to Iran: do not “spoil” Syrian leaders, to Syria: “those who inflict repression…will not be able to stand on their feet”
On Friday September 16, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan reportedly called on on Iran “not to spoil” the Syrian government, stating in an interview with Hurriyet, “I cannot say there has been tension with Iran but we warned them [the Iranians] that ‘the Assad administration is getting spoiled with your encouragement.’” 
 
The same day, whilst before a crowds in Tripoli, Libya, Erdogan made a statement directed toward the Syrian government, “Do not forget this: those in Syria who inflict repression on the people will not be able to stand on their feet because oppression and prosperity cannot exist together.” Erdogan’s comment came at the end of an official tour of North Africa.
 
Ambassador Ford – more Facebook diplomacy 
On Friday September 16, US Ambassador Ford issued another Facebook note, this time taking on a number of criticisms of US foreign policy and actions in Syria. Abbreviated versions of his responses are as follows: 
 
“Ghazal Mahran rightly points out that the ‘mission of any army in the world is to maintain security and stability.’  No one would criticize the Syrian security forces for maintaining security and stability if they did so in a manner that respected human rights and were held security accountable for human rights violations.  The criticism from the UN, the Arab League, the EU, the US and many other countries is that the Syrian security forces are in most instances killing unarmed protesters who are certainly not ‘terrorists.’  Perhaps the biggest difference now between the Syrian regime and most of the international community is that the regime has not acknowledged that its forces are often killing unarmed protesters…
 
“Issam Souria calls US policy ‘mind-boggling’ because in Iraq and Afghanistan ‘over 7000 US soldiers lost their lives fighting terrorism and Muslim extremists, but in Syria you call the same terrorists and extremists ‘freedom and democracy activists.’  To be clear:  the U.S. does not support extremism and we have not provided assistance in any way to armed groups… We do…strongly support the right of peaceful protesters to express their opinions and to march peacefully in Syria or in other countries….
 
“Michael Vitez falsely claims that ‘the US has released terrorists from Iraqi prisons to attack the Syrian people.’  We do not control prisons in Iraq, and we have not sent anyone from Iraq to Syria. … The question now is how to stop the terrible bloodshed in Syria and achieve a genuine political transition.  I respectfully suggest that a big part of that requires distinguishing between moderates and extremists and not killing/arresting/torturing the moderates.”
 
To read the note in full, click here. 
 
Lebanon will not support UN resolution against Syria
On Saturday September 17, Lebanese Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour stated that Lebanon will not support a UN resolution against Syria. In his statement, Mansour asserted that the security situation in Syria has improved in recent weeks and that Syrian soldiers and members of the security forces would not be dying if claims that the opposition was unarmed were true. 
 
Syrian Ambassador to US Imad Moustapha interviewed on CNN
On Friday September 17, Syria’s ambassador to the US, Imad Moustapha, did an interview with CNN‘s Hala Gorani to discuss the country’s current political crisis. The interview was Moustapha’s first since the start of the revolution back in March. 
 
On the issue of the growing death toll following security crackdowns, Moustapha told Gorani, “People – people give numbers in…a very, very unrealistic way. Those numbers are never substantiated, because this is what suits the Western media here.  …These are blatant lies. This is the problem we are facing today in Syria – a massive campaign of disinformation and lies.”
 
Responding to Gorani’s question about the large numbers of fatalities among Syrian civilians, including young children, Moustapha replied: “Many of those children happened to be families of military men and of policemen that were brutally murdered.  Now, it’s not only the murder, it’s what happens after their brutal killing.  They dismember their bodies.  Even a family – a family in of mine, a relation to me, OK, he was not only shot, but he was divided into three pieces and his core was sent to his wife – three pieces. Three of my friends were also murdered. What I’m trying to tell you is what’s happening today in Syria is similar to what has happened in Iraq when brutal groups will attack, Sunni groups, Sunni mosques and Shiite mosques so that they will incite civil war in Iraq.”
 
Following a question regarding the identities of those individuals taking to the streets and accusations by the Syrian government that there is “some fundamentalist Islamist extremist armed movement that is trying to destabilize the country,” Moustapha stated that, “If you are talking about peaceful protesters…We believe that their demands are legitimate and we are addressing their demands in a comprehensive way.  Here is my challenge to those guys who are criticizing us.  Syria is implementing, right now, as we speak, unprecedented political reforms.  By the time – I – I believe by February next year, the – the political scene in Syria will be unparalleled across the Arab world…”
 
Later in the interview, Moustapha continued with his defense of the Syrian government’s response to the uprising asserting that, “If you are in opposition in Syria and you are about political opposition, about opposing every policy of the Syrian government, you are okay.  You are welcome.  The new laws in Syria would allow you to form your own political party.  The new media law is the most liberal law today in the whole Arab world…This is new.  It was not the case before.  But this is the new reality in Syria.  We have announced town hall meetings, town hall style meetings across Syria for a national dialogue that has been attended by the opposition.  And the sort of things they are saying is something that has – I have never ever heard before inside Syria. I’m telling you how the reality is changing and how the context is changing.  We are having a new election law and we are having a new – a new part. …Next February, we are having a multi-party, democratic, transparent election.  Let the representatives of the Syrian people, who will be elected, let them decide what they want for Syria, not those who hide their faces and tell you stories.”
 
To read a full transcript of the interview or watch a video of it, follow this link. 
 
US Department of State issues emergency message for US citizens
On September 18, the US Department of State issued an emergency message for US citizens, urging those “in Syria to depart immediately while commercial transportation is available.” 
 
The message continued, “Given the ongoing uncertainty and volatility of the current situation, U.S. citizens who must remain in Syria are advised to limit nonessential travel within the country. U.S. citizens not in Syria should defer all travel to Syria at this time. On August 18, the U.S. imposed additional sanctions against the Government of Syria restricting financial or material support by U.S. citizens or residents to the Government of Syria. This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning for Syria issued on August 5, 2011, to provide updated information on the impact recent sanctions on Syria may have on U.S. citizens and residents conducting business in Syria, and to provide updated information on the security situation in Syria.” 
 
On the issue of US sanctions against Syria and their impact on US citizens, the message stated that it is no longer legal for US citizens to work in Syria – nor engage in basic monetary transactions such as paying taxes and public utility fees: 
 
“On August 18, several countries, including the United States, called upon the Syrian president to step aside…These sanctions prohibit U.S. citizens or residents from making payments or providing any material support to the Government of Syria, providing services to Syria, or making new investments in Syria. U.S. citizens and residents should be aware that, under the current sanctions, activities such as working (i.e. providing services) in Syria or paying business or employment-related fees to the Syrian government (e.g. taxes, licensing fees, public utility charges, etc.) are violations of U.S. law. U.S. banks and credit card companies are also prohibited from providing services, drastically limiting U.S. citizens’ and residents’ ability to withdraw cash or conduct commercial transactions. However, U.S. persons residing in Syria are authorized to pay their personal living expenses in Syria and to engage in other transactions, including with the Government of Syria, that are ordinarily incident and necessary to their personal maintenance within Syria…”
 
For all official US Department of Treasury documents on US sanctions against Syria, see here.
 
Iraq’s al-Maliki denies reports that he called for Assad to step down
 
US-Turkey in alignment on Syria issue, Turkey readying sanctions against Syria
US President Barack Obama and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan held bilateral meetings in New York on September 20 and agreed to “increase pressure” against Syrian President Assad – though precise details of what that might entail are not yet known. Following the meetings, the leaders reportedly emphasized the”alignment” in their “assessments of the situation in Syria”. 
 
At the same time, Erdogan made a number of key statements regarding relations between Syria and Turkey asserting that, “I terminated my contacts with the Syrian administration. We never wished to arrive this point but unfortunately the Syrian administration has led us here.”
 
Erdogan also stated that Turkey is readying sanctions against Syria and will levy them in coordination with the US government. 
 
Arab League ministers call on regional states to freeze Damascus’s membership
 
President Obama calls on UN to impose sanctions against Syria 
During an address to the UN General Assembly in New York on Wednesday September 21, President Obama called upon the UN to impose sanctions against the Syrian government asserting that, “For the sake of Syria – and the peace and security of the world – we must speak with one voice. Now is the time for the United Nations Security Council to sanction the Syrian regime, and to stand with the Syrian people.”
 
Obama went on to state that, “As we meet here today, men, women and children are being tortured, detained and murdered by the Syrian regime. Thousands have been killed, many during the holy time of Ramadan. Thousands more have poured across Syria’s borders. The question for us is clear: Will we stand with the Syrian people, or with their oppressors?“
 
For the full text of Obama’s speech, see here. 
 
Economic Development & International Trade:
 
Syrian economy to shrink 2% according to International Monetary Fund
According to the World Economic Outlook September 2011 report issued by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on September 20, the Syrian economy is set to shrink by some two percent in 2011 as a direct result of the country’s deepening revolutionary turmoil. Back in April, the IMF had predicted that the country’s economy would grow by some three percent.
 
Syrian exports to neighboring Turkey drop
In the first seven months of 2011, Syrian exports to Turkey declined by some seven percent whilst Turkish exports to Syria during the same period grew by 1.4 percent. The most notable fluctuation occurred in June when Syrian exports to Turkey dropped by some 59.3 percent to just USD 48 million compared to the same month last year. Turkish exports to Syria in the same month declined by 18.1 percent to just USD 113 million compared to 2010. 
 
Culture:
 
Damascus International Film Festival 2011 cancelled
On September 19, sources at the National Film Organisation in Damascus reported that the Damascus International Film Festival 2011 has been officially cancelled due to the country’s deepening security problems. The festival was scheduled for this fall. The festival was established by Syrian film director Muhammad Shahin in 1979. Since the start of the unrest in Syria in March, cultural activities – previously on the rise – have largely been cancelled. Foreign cultural institutes across the country have closed their doors, theatre and opera performances have dropped, and foreign performers have cancelled their trips to the country. 
 
Further Reading: 
 
“Is Civil War in Syria Inevitable?” – The Atlantic – An important read. Hussein Ibish argues that while the majority of the Syrian opposition has maintained a peaceful approach to calling for the fall of the Syrian government, the failure of such efforts to bring about any real change in the country is leading some to consider the possibility of insurrection. As Ibish sees it, “the drift towards conflict is starting to feel palpable”. Central to Ibish’s perspective, is the view that the “most important factor pushing Syria in the direction of civil conflict may be that the Assad regime has left the opposition few other options for anything resembling success. The largely nonviolent protests have brought nothing in the way of serious reform or to weaken the regime’s grip on power…If anything, the regime seems to have consistently worsened its behavior…the nonviolent tactic has been almost all pain with very little gain. At some point, other options will have to be considered – or the fight against Assad abandoned.”
 
“Syria’s Endemic Corruption” – Institute for War and Peace Reporting – Ghassam Ibrahim, founder of the Global Arab Network, discusses Syria’s corruption woes and his perspective on why the country’s revolutionaries will not stop until the government is overthrown.
 
“The Arab Autumn: Three Big Challenges Threatening the Arab Uprisings” – Counterpunch – Esam al-Amin evaluates the “three crucial predicaments” that connect the Arab revolutions – regardless of their great disparities: 1) “the revolutionaries are not in charge; 2) the role of Islam in society, and; 3) the role of foreign powers.  
 
“Syria Army Defector Hussein Harmoush in TV ‘Confession’” – BBC – Lt. Col Hussein al-Harmoush allegedly defected from the Syrian army a number of months ago – becoming the first high-ranking officer to do so. Though he had taken up residence in a Turkish refugee camp, he recently returned to Syria amid considerable controversy and is disputing much of the reportage on his alleged reasons for defected and returning. 
 
“US Underwhelmed with Emerging Powers At UN” – National Public Radio – India, South Africa and Brazil are all emerging international powers with temporary seats on the UN Security Council. Their recent track records at the UN in response to the crisis in Syria, has left US officials and indeed a number of high-level international human rights organizations deeply concerned about their approach to responding to major political and humanitarian crises. 
 
“US Is Quietly Getting Ready for Syria Without Assad” – New York Times – US Department of State officials reportedly no longer believe that President Assad will survive the current revolution and have begun making plans for a post-Assad Syria. 
 
“The Syrian News Roundup” – Maysaloon (blog) – Well-respected Syrian expat blogger and member of the opposition Maysaloon offers up his own take on news about Syria. His interpretations generally run counter to those found in the news roundups put forth by writers at Syria Comment – another well-known blog covering Syrian news that is increasingly criticized for its sympathies toward the current Syrian government. 
 
“Arab Talk Interview with Jadaliyya Co-editor Bassam Haddad on Syria and Arab Uprising” – Jadaliyya – An interview (audio file) with the editor of Jadaliyya on the status of the Arab Spring and the particularities of the Syrian case. Haddad’s comments on Syria begin at the 12-minute-mark and constitute a great backgrounder for those concerned. 
 
“Sanctions Won’t End Syria’s Repression” – Wall Street Journal – A compelling critique of the use of sanctions against Syria to pressure the government into changing its behavior. Author Hicham el-Moussaoui argues that 1) “sanctions will not be efficient in the short term because Syria is not well integrated in the global economy”; 2) assumptions that sanctions will “deprive the regime of support from the Syrian business community” are “misguided”, and; 3) any belief that sanctions will cause the government to question its behavior, overlooks the reality that the government by its very nature has no interest in working for the benefit of the Syrian people. 

September 15, 2011 – Syria News Blog: A Roundup of International Reportage

/in /by

The Syrian Revolution

Thursday September 15 marks the start of the sixth month of the Syrian revolution. The preceding 183 days of social upheaval and corresponding security crackdowns have resulted in the deaths of over 3,000 Syrians – with some 113 killed last week alone. Since the uprising began on March 15, 112 Syrian cities and villages have seen deaths amid security crackdowns, over 80 children have been killed in related security incursions, and over 95 adults have reportedly died whilst under torture in Syrian prisons. Activists and foreign officials estimate that more than 15,000 have been imprisoned, several thousand of whom were effectively ‘disappeared’.

The international community, initially slow to respond to the crisis in Syria and still encumbered by the pitfalls of its recent military incursion in Libya, has succeeded only in rallying around harsh condemnations of Damascus – a firm UN Security Council resolution remains elusive. All predictions of the imminent collapse of the Syrian government have proven incorrect as the opposition struggles to usurp power from – or even to hold sway over – Syrian authorities. The government seems to have calculated that the use of low-level violence against civilians is sufficient to hinder international intervention, whilst protecting its seat at the helm of the country. For its part, the opposition largely remains divided – with many gains toward unity, swiftly countered by internal dissent. Still too weak to gain leverage over the government and yet undeterred from taking to the streets in protest, the opposition continues in its fight for systemic change and finds its opponent equally undeterred. 

Protests, security crackdowns, opposition meetings

On Thursday September 8, international media reported that over twenty people were killed following artillery-backed military offensives in a number of neighborhoods in Homs. According to local activists, the worst hit neighborhoods were those that had seen soldier defections in the preceding days. 

Thursday’s crackdown was one of the worst thus far in Homs – which has seen mass protests, unrest and severe security crackdowns since March. State-run media reported that eight soldiers and five “insurgents” were killed during the day – a markedly different story from that reported by foreign media. 

On Friday September 9, activists reported that hundreds of thousands of protestors again took to the streets in nationwide protests with many reportedly calling out: “We want international protection!” The Syrian Revolution Facebook page also posted a note that day calling for the UN to create a permanent observer mission in Syria. 

The same reports indicated that the death toll from the day was again high while another child, this time a 15-year-old boy, was shot and killed by soldiers at a checkpoint outside of the northwestern village of Al-Rama. Foreign media also reported that well-known human rights campaigner Najati Tayara, 66, was severely beaten whilst being interrogated in prison on Friday. Tayara was arrested back in May.

On Saturday, security forces opened fire on crowds attending the funeral of prominent activist Ghiyath Mattar – critically injuring a 17-year-old boy who would succumb to his injuries on Sunday, dying whilst in the hospital. Some 12 people were reportedly killed in violence on Saturday. 

The following day, more violence was reported as security forces engaged in raids in the town of Bukamal and a woman in her forties was killed by a stray bullet during the incursion.

Meanwhile, members of the Syrian opposition met in Istanbul over the weekend in an effort to draft a list of candidates for a national council that would in theory represent the Syrian uprising. Loaay Hussein, another well-known Syrian dissident, also announced the formation of a group called The Current for Building the Syrian State. According to Hussein, the group will aim to “bring an end to the despotic regime and transform Syria into a democratic and civil state”.

On Tuesday, international media reported that at least 19 more Syrian civilians were killed – five of whom were shot whilst attending a funeral in Hama. The other fatalities occurred in Saraqeb, Deir ez-Zor, Ghab, Homs and Damascus. In Homs, civilians came under fire whilst passing through a security checkpoint.

Just the day before, some 26 people were killed during further crackdowns, with a 12-year-old boy among the fatalities. The boy was reportedly attending a funeral procession for a protestor who had been killed on Sunday. The largest number of the day’s fatalities occurred in Hama where security and military forces reportedly carried out raids in search of wanted activists and protestors. Further violence was also reported in Homs. 

According to Radwan Ziadeh, head of the Washington-based Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies in Syria, over 3,000 people have been killed in Syria since the start of the unrest on March 15 – with the deaths occurring in some 112 Syrian cities and towns. Bouthaina Shaaban, media adviser to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, asserted on Monday during meetings in Moscow that 1,400 people in total have been killed – 700 members of the security and military forces and another 700 “insurgents“. Shaaban’s figure runs counter to all others reported by local activists, the UN and foreign governments, as well as international media. 

Ghiyath Mattar

Well-known Syrian activist and organizer Ghiyath Mattar was arrested on September 6 and subsequently tortured to death whilst in police custody. His body was returned to his family on Saturday, showing signs of severe torture. 

Ghiyath’s killing has prompted outrage in and outside of Syria. The US State Department issued a formal statement in response to his murder:

“The United States condemns in the strongest possible terms the killing of Syrian human rights activist Ghiyath Mattar while in the custody of Syrian Security Forces. We offer our deepest condolences to his family and friends as they mourn their loss. Ghiyath, along with leading activist Yahya Sharbaji and a number of other human rights activists committed to non-violent resistance, was detained on September 6. Ghiyath Mattar’s courage in the face of the Asad regime’s brutal repression is well known in his home of Daraya and across Syria. His brave commitment to confronting the regime’s despicable violence with peaceful protest serves as an example for the Syrian people and for all those who suffer under the yoke of oppression.” US Ambassador Ford also reportedly attended Mattar’s funeral.

A spokesperson of Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton also issued a statement in response to his death:

“The EU condemns in the strongest terms the killing of human rights activist Ghiath Matar while detained by the Syrian security forces. He was killed for his resolve to stand up peacefully to the 

brutal repression perpetrated by the Syrian regime. We express our condolences to his family and  all those who will miss him as a friend, leader, and example.  Ghiyath Mattar’s death adds to the great number of people who have fallen victim to the Syrian regime’s policy of arbitrary killing, injury, detention, torture and abuse of peaceful protesters, and other widespread violations of human rights. It is yet another sign of the brutality with which the regime responds to the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people. All  perpetrators of such acts must be held to account.  

“The EU salutes the courage and determination of the Syrian people which they continue to demonstrate every day despite the repression. The EU demands that Bashar al-Assad and his regime stop their violent campaign without delay and release all detained protesters, in particular Yahya Sharbaji, Amer Matar, Najati Tayara, Shadi Abu Fakher and Omar al-Assad who were illegally arrested during the past weeks. The EU reiterates that the regime must clear the way towards a peaceful transition to democracy in Syria.” 

Mattar was 26 years old.  

Rafah Tawfeek Nashed

On Saturday September 10, Rafah Tawfeek Nached, 66, a well-respected Syrian psychoanalyst, was arrested following her arrival at the first luggage checkpoint at Damascus International Airport. Her husband, Dr. Faisal Mohammad Abdullah, a professor of history at the University of Damascus, reported via a Facebook note that Nashed had called him at the checkpoint to tell him that security had taken her passport. Shortly thereafter, her mobile was cut off. According to her husband, Nashed has a number of health conditions for which she was traveling to Paris to seek treatment. 

Recent surge of ‘trophy videos’ depicting abuses by security forces

In recent weeks, there has been a surge in videos posted on the internet allegedly filmed by Syrian soldiers, of other soldiers engaged in fighting and in most cases, acts of abuse against alleged members of the opposition. This has led to much speculation as to why soldiers are filming incriminating videos.

Some maintain that the footage is sold and that the primary motivation is profit; the videos are sold for hundreds of dollars. Others maintain that the videos are likely recorded by soldiers who have turned against the government and aim to expose the crimes committed by members of the security and military forces against Syrian civilians. Still others believe that the videos have been shared with the intent of intimidating dissidents into staying home and off the streets. The content of the videos  – which many are now dubbing ‘trophy videos‘ – is disturbing, with graphic depictions of brutal beatings and in some cases, killings.

International Politics & Diplomacy

Iran’s Ahmadinejad on Syria – “military solution is never the right solution”

On Thursday September 8, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to bring an end to the violent crackdowns against  Syrian protestors. The move marked the latest, and undoubtedly one of the more surprising, of recent efforts by foreign leaders to pressure Damascus into adopting a less violent approach to managing the country’s deepening unrest. “Regional nations can assist the Syrian people and government in the implementation of essential reforms and the resolution of their problems… A military solution is never the right solution,” said the Iranian President in an interview with a Portuguese TV station. 

The irony of Ahmadinejad’s remarks was lost on few; just over two years ago the Iranian President employed decisive force against Iranian citizens after being reelected in a sham election. 

Regardless of Ahmadinejad’s public statements, many continue to believe that the Iranian regime views the current government as too essential to the advancement of its own strategic interests, to truly support any efforts that might lead to Syria’s political and social overhaul. Such public declarations are construed by some as word play aimed at protecting Iran’s reputation in the Arab world. As Karim Sadjadpour of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace explained, “Iran wants to be perceived as the voice of the downtrodden in the Middle East, the one country that speaks truth to power. Their close rapport with the Assad regime undermines that image.”

Russia – Medvedev: “aware of the disproportionate use of force” by Syrian security forces against civilians

On Thursday September 8, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev conceded during an interview with Euronews that the Syrian government was guilty of using “disproportionate force” against protestors. “It’s true that we recognize that there are problems in Syria. We’re aware of the disproportionate use of force, and of a large number of victims, and it’s something we disapprove of,” said Medvedev. 

“I have addressed myself several times to President Assad on this, but I think that if we decided to address a severe message to Syria, we should do the same thing to the opposition. Those who are chanting anti-government slogans are very diverse people. Some are clearly extremists, some could even be described as terrorists. We are ready to back different approaches, but they should not be based on a unilateral condemnation of the actions of the government and President Assad. We should send a strong message to all the parties to the conflict. Russia’s interest in such a solution lies also in the fact that Syria is a friendly country with which we have numerous economic and political ties,” Medvedev continued. 

The following day, members of the Syrian opposition sent a delegation to Moscow to meet with the Russian upper house of parliament’s foreign affairs chief Mikhail Margelov. The delegation included Ammar Qurabi, the head of the National Organisation for Human Rights in Syria. Though the details of the meeting were not made public, a number of high level figures reported that the delegation expressed its dismay at Russia’s lack of support for the Syrian opposition and frustration that Russia will not back UN sanctions against the Syrian government. However, Qurabi’s public remarks on the meeting were limited to a comment to reporters that, “Russia should be playing a more active and positive role in regulating the political situation in Syria” and that the focus of the meeting was “to tell the Russian media about what is happening in Syria so they could help us and put pressure on the Russian leadership.”

For his part, Margelov stated that Russia will seek permission to send a high level delegation to Damascus to assess the situation and that “Russia will do everything possible to make sure that that the situation in Syria did not follow the Libya scenario.” 

On Monday September 12, Medvedev said that the latest US and EU sanctions against Syria meant that “additional pressure now is absolutely not needed in this direction“.  Medvedev went on to state that Russia believes that any possible UN resolution must be “tough but balanced, and addressed to both sides in Syria,” and that it should not automatically result in further sanctions as “there is already a large number of sanctions against Syria”.  The Russian president was reportedly speaking following talks with British Prime Minister David Cameron.

US Ambassador Ford – creative diplomacy, Facebook notes

On Thursday September 8, US Ambassador Ford posted another Facebook note, this time in defense of American foreign policy in Syria: 

“On Syria we have underlined that we support a democracy that would respect the equality of all of its citizens, including Alawis and Christians.  As for my counterpart in the US, after the Syrian government  insisted on restricting my movement in Syria, the U.S. government reciprocated, requiring that Syrian officials in DC also seek permission to travel outside the city.  Ambassadors from around the world travel all over the US and they are free to talk to people to understand our society, ideas and problems. Various human rights NGOs have been visiting Guantanamo for years.  

“…Secretary Clinton has made clear that we have no plan to respond to the uprising in Syria in the same manner as in Libya.  Secretary of Defense Panetta recently said that the Syrian situation differs in many respects from that the Libyan situation.   

“…[some] warn that the U.S. wants to create an Islamist government in Syria.  We absolutely do not support extremism.  Many times I have expressed regret at the loss of Syrian security force members’ lives.  But we have to be very clear about what is causing the violence: government intolerance and violence is provoking retaliation from a protest movement that has sought to remain peaceful.  This is not just an American conclusion…

“Outside observers including the EU, Japan, the Arab League and others think that the only way forward is for the government to release political prisoners and to stop shooting at peaceful protests (thus ending the excuse for retaliation) and for a peaceful, democratic Syrian-planned transition to go forward.  Many countries do not think this can happen under Syria’s current president; others disagree.  All of us agree that whoever is in authority in Damascus needs to immediately start respecting Syrians’ human rights as laid out in the UN Charter of Human Rights that Syria itself signed.”

Ambassador Ford has adopted a notably unconventional approach to diplomacy, ignoring the Syrian government’s restrictions on his in-country travel, visiting the country’s hotspots, and using Facebook as a means of engaging in informal diplomacy. Many analysts note that the US State Department has granted Ford an unusual amount of leeway, allowing him to “be as active as he thinks he can be, consistent with security“. Interestingly, though Ford is flagrantly critical of the Syrian government, he still succeeds in landing meetings with high-level Syrian officials. 

Ford is the first US ambassador to be posted in Syria in five years. Though assigned to Damascus on a recess appointment and expected, pre-revolution, to engage in comparatively subtle diplomatic rapprochement with the Syrian government in an effort to bring Damascus in from the cold whilst weakening its ties to Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas, Ford is now among the most outspoken of foreign officials in Damascus. US officials view Ford’s use of Facebook as an effort to put a ‘human face’ on American diplomacy – making the message and its implications more accessible to both Syrians and Americans. Nevertheless, many also speculate that Ford’s increasing boldness will soon result in his expulsion by the Syrian government from Damascus.

US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control issues general licenses  

On Friday September 9, the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued a set of licenses that govern transactions for entities in Syria. US persons that were engaged in business with the Syrian government before August 18, 2011 have until November 25 to carry out any transactions “that are ordinarily incident and necessary (1) to the winding down or divestiture or transfer to a foreign person of a U.S. person’s share of ownership, including an equity interest, in pre-August 18,2011 investments located in Syria, or  (2) to the winding down of a contractual or  other commitment that was in effect prior to August 18, 2011, involving· the exportation of  services to Syria, are authorized through November 25, 2011“. Such persons are required to file a detailed report with the OFAC with 10 of finishing the transaction.

According to the OFAC, international organizations, including the UN and its agencies and related contractors, are able to continue their work in Syria while still complying with the executive order issued on August 18, 2011 imposing sanctions against the country – so long as they meet certain conditions.

The OFAC also issued a general license for US persons living in Syria, stating that “individuals who are U.S. persons residing in Syria are authorized to pay their personal living expenses in Syria and to engage in other transactions, including with the Government of Syria, otherwise prohibited by Executive Order 13582 of August 17, 2011…that are ordinarily incident and necessary to their personal maintenance within Syria, including, but  not  limited to, payment of housing expenses, acquisition of goods or services for personal use, payment of taxes or fees to the government of Syria, and purchase or  receipt of permits, licenses, or  public utility services from the government of Syria.”  However, the payment of personal living expenses cannot include: “any debit to an account of the government of Syria on the books of a US financial institution…” or “any transaction with a person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to the orders other than the government of  Syria” or “transactions or services ordinarily incident to operating or supporting a business in Syria, employment in Syria, or any new investment in Syria.” 

Finally, the OFAC orders stated that, “the operation of an account in a U.S. financial institution for an individual in Syria other than an individual whose property and interests in property are blocked” by US executive orders “is authorized, provided that transactions processed through the account” (1) are “of a personal nature and not for use in supporting or operating a business”; (2) “do not involve transfers directly or indirectly to Syria or for the benefit of individuals ordinarily resident in Syria unless authorized by General License No. 6 (“Noncommercial, Personal Remittances Authorized”); and (3) “are not otherwise prohibited by the orders“.

Tony Blair – “no process of change” in Syria will leave President Assad “intact”

On Friday September 9, in an interview set to mark the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair stated in an interview with The Times that Syria would fare better if the current Syrian president was no longer in power. “He [President Assad] is not going to lead the program of change in Syria now. He has shown he is not capable of reform. His position is untenable. There is no process of change that leaves him intact.”

Syrian ambassador to Lebanon – “we expect Lebanon to stand by…the interest of Syria”

On Saturday September 10, the Syrian ambassador to Lebanon, Ali Abdel-Karim Ali, told reporters that the Syrian government expects support from Lebanon at the UN. “We expect Lebanon to stand by its interest and the interest of Syria and to be in solidarity with a fair case,” the ambassador told reporters following a meeting with Syrian Foreign Affairs Minister Adnan Mansour. “I think the Russian, Chinese, Indian, Brazilian and the South African position, in addition to the Lebanese one … affirms that Syria is capable of resolving its crisis with the help of its brothers and friends without any interference,” Ali continued. 

Arab League chief meets with President Assad in Damascus

On Saturday, the secretary-general of the Arab League Nabil Elaraby, met with President Assad in an effort to pressure Damascus to bring an end to the violence that has shaken the country for some 183 days. Elaraby was supposed to meet with the President on September 7, but Damascus postponed the meeting whilst carrying out military operations in the central city of Homs that day.  According to state-run media, Elaraby “asserted that the Arab League cared deeply about the safety and stability, rejected foreign interference in Syrian internal affairs, and promised to stand by Syria during this difficult time”. 

French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe – absence of UN position Syria is a “scandal” 

On Sunday, French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe told reporters whilst on an official visit to Australia that, “I think it’s a scandal not to have a clear position of the U.N. in such a terrible crisis“. Juppe continued, “We think that the regime has lost its legitimacy. We think that it’s too late to implement a level of reform. We should adopt in New York a very clear resolution condemning the violence.”

Gulf Cooperation Council calls for “an immediate end to the killing machine” 

On Sunday, the Gulf Cooperation Council held a meeting in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia during which the Council’s six foreign ministers of Gulf States issued a statement urging for the Syrian government to bring an end to the crackdowns against members of the opposition. In the statement, the ministers called for “an immediate end to the killing machine” as well as “the immediate implementation of serious reforms that meet the aspirations of the Syrian” people.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan warns of sectarian civil war in Syria

On Tuesday September 13, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated in an interview published in Egypt’s Al-Shourouk at the start of his tour of a number of Arab countries, that “I fear that matters will end with a civil war [in Syria] breaking out between the Alawites and the Sunnis.” He continued, “We know that the Alawite elite dominates important positions within the regime, the army and the security forces. The people’s anger is directed at them, not only because they are a tool of the government, but also because of their confession, and the Syrian regime is playing up this dangerous card.” Erdogan went on to state that the “shabiha”, or a band of violent, pro-government thugs, “”belong to the Alawite sect” which in turn “deepens the rift between them [Alawites] and the Sunni majority.”

Regarding President Assad’s failure to enact comprehensive reforms, Erdogan stated that “If President Bashar does not take this step [reform], he personally will pay the price.”

French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe meets counterpart in Beijing to discuss Syria

French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe told journalists in Beijing on September 13 following a meeting with his Chinese counterpart, Yang Jiechi, that the two discussed the issue of a UN resolution against Syria for its violent crackdowns against civilians. Asked whether or not he made any headway on changing the Chinese position that any such UN resolution is inappropriate, Juppe replied “Not really.” 

Scores of activists, organizations call on Arab League to take action against Syria

On September 14, some 175 organizations signed and submitted a petition to the Arab League demanding that it suspend Syria’s membership in the League until the violent crackdown against Syrian civilians is brought to an end. The petition also called on the League to support UN actions – including the implementation of a travel ban against Syrian officials, asset freezes and perhaps an arms embargo. The absence of a unified position among Arab leaders against the actions of the Syrian government, is central to the inability of the international community to adopt a firmer stance in response to the crisis in Syria. 

Further Reading: 

“Syria: What Kind of Revolution?” – Monthly Review Magazine – Bilal el-Amine’s assessment of the Syrian uprising through the eyes of activists in Lebanon. Amine puts forth an unconventional view of the revolution, noting that while the “complete overhaul of the current regime” is necessary, there is reason to maintain “misgivings about the nature and politics” of the uprising. Bilal goes on to interrogate the oft-repeated view of Syrian activists who charge that the Syrian government’s support of resistance movements like Hamas of Palestine and Hezbollah of Lebanon is not as strong as the government would have the world believe. Commentary on the revolution has become “so polarized that it has been extremely difficult to articulate an independent position without being accused of hypocrisy or standing with a dictator against the people”, as Amine sees it. The remainder of the article focuses on the sectarian undercurrents of the revolution and what the author terms the opposition’s other “dirty secrets” that must be aired so as not to continue making the “mistake of blindly cheering on movements that may not be much an improvement over the dictatorships they will replace”. While many will take issue with certain of Amine’s views, the article is nevertheless well-written and worth the read.

“Frequently Asked Questions on EU restrictive Measures Against the Syrian Regime” – European External Action Service – A backgrounder on the EU sanctions against Syria. Undoubtedly a bit of political propaganda, but nevertheless useful for those seeking to interpret EU motives in Syria. 

“Stone Age, Here We Come” – Syria Comment – Author ‘Syrian Prometheus’ turns to Syrian history to argue that the current revolution “has a long way to go” and that “we have not even begun to reach the upper limit of civilian casualties and economic pain that this conflict will exact”. The author details the implications of the sanctions for average Syrian consumers and business owners, noting that mass bankruptcies and economic stagnation are looming and that the heaviest toll of such moves will be exacted on Syria’s most vulnerable citizens – here, using the case of Iraq between 1991 and 2003 as a model. Finally, the author tears apart any assumptions that economic punishment and severe diplomatic isolation will somehow persuade the Syrian government to lay down its arms. As the author sees it, “Syria is already in a state of civil war. It just happens that one side has all the weapons.”

“Is Syria Set to Become ‘The New Libya’?” – Notes from Medinah  (blog) – Chris Keeler assesses the conditions necessary for an armed rebellion in Syria and the factors that dictate the international community’s willingness to intervene. Keeler highlights one of the principle conundrums of the uprising: “any armed uprising is likely to be immediately crushed without international military support” – a disincentive to the opposition taking up arms. At the same time, foreign governments will not intervene in the absence of an “organized fighting force on the ground…that is gravely threatened by Assad” and as Keeler sees it, the government will maintain its current level of repression, which is just “low enough to cause disgust and condemnation from the international community without the threat of intervention”, so long as there is no armed rebellion – meaning that the deadly stalement that has overtaken the country for months, is likely to continue for many more.

“Squeezing Syria” – The Washington Post – The paper’s Editorial Board’s latest views on the US’s Syria policy. Published on September 7, Board’s new editorial asserts that, “Only the end of Mr. Assad’s regime will end the violence… Foreign governments cannot topple Mr. Assad — Syrians must do that. But outsiders can help by abandoning efforts to ‘engage’ the dictator and instead stepping up political and economic sanctions.”

“Syria’s Ports Suffer as Unrest Hits Economy” – Reuters – Traffic in Syrian ports has all but collapsed since the start of the revolution in March. Foreign customers have stopped placing orders with Syrian businesses and shippers, Syrian businessmen have reduced orders out of concern for the country’s deteriorating economic environment, and companies that have used Syrian ports as conduits for trade have begun seeking alternative routes fearing the country’s security situation. 

“Syria: Crowdsourcing Satellite Imagery Analysis to Identify Mass Human Rights Violations” – United Nations Platform for Space-based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response – An article exploring the possibility of using micro-tasking with backend triangulation to crowdsource the examination of high resolution satellite imagery from Syria for the purposes of identifying and furnishing evidence of mass human rights violations in the country. Such techniques have been used in Sudan and Somalia with success. Features that analysts would look for include missing roofs, military equipment in civilian areas, darkened or burnt building features, military equipment and/or persons atop roofs indicating possible sniping, and so on. 

“Who Watches the Watchers?” – GlobalPost – Annasofie Flamand and Hugh Macleod cover “Syria’s web of informants” – the individuals who willingly watch fellow citizens and inform security forces of any ‘illegal’ behavior. In recent weeks, some protestors and activists have taken to publishing lists and details of suspected informants on the web. The authors discuss the controversial practice and its possible impediments to building a new state. 

Security

Syria to cooperate with IAEA 

On Monday September 12, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Yukiya Amano stated that the Syrian government has agreed to cooperate with the UN Agency and has proposed holding a related meeting in October. During the Agency’s board meeting on Monday, Amano said that Syria had submitted a letter last month in which it “stated its readiness to have a meeting with agency safeguards staff in Damascus in October“. The letter indicated that the talks were to be to “agree on an action plan to resolve the outstanding issues” with regard to the facility in Deir ez-Zor. 

September 8, 2011 – Syria News Blog: A Roundup of International Reportage

/in /by

The Syrian Revolution

Violence across the country took a marked turn for the worse this week, with over 80 people killed in security crackdowns and violent attacks across the country in just seven days. International reportage suggests a shift in the violence, perhaps moving beyond security crackdowns by government forces to include a spike in violent attacks against members of the military and security forces. The continued media blackout leaves the nature and scope of the violence a challenge to ascertain. At the same time, the EU moved forward with the implementation of its oil embargo against Syrian crude on Saturday, the French Foreign Minister termed the actions of the Syrian government as “crimes against humanity,” and US Ambassador Ford issued another Facebook note stating that, “given the extent of the government’s brutality, neither the Syrian protest movement nor the international community will believe that this Syrian leadership desires or is capable of the deep, genuine and credible reforms that the Syrian people demand.”  

 
Protests, security crackdowns 
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, on Thursday September 1 security forces opened fire on protestors in Homs on Thursday killing four – including an eleven-year-old child. 
 
The following day, countrywide protests were held with the day termed “Death Rather Than Humiliation“. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, security crackdowns results in the deaths of 21 people – nine of whom were killed in Damascus, nine in Homs, and three in Deir ez-Zor. A 16-year-old girl and an elderly woman were among those killed. Some foreign media also reported that 15 protestors undergoing treatment for injuries sustained during security crackdowns, were forcibly removed by security forces from two hospitals in Damascus suburbs. 
 
In Maaret Naaman, a suburb of Damascus, activists alleged that those entering the mosques to pray were forced to give their names at the doors to be checked against a list of suspects. Arrests were also reportedly carried out during prayers. 
 
Foreign media reported that two people were killed in the northwestern town of Maarrat on Saturday as tanks and buses carrying security forces moved in to the area.  
 
Sunday ushered in further severe violence as another eight people were killed by security forces in the province of Idlib, while according to state-run media, six soldiers and three civilians were reportedly shot and killed during an ambush on a military bus near Hama. SANA reported that the killings were carried out by armed terrorist groups wielding machine guns. Another person was killed in a suburb of Damascus. 
 
At the same time, foreign media report that broad scale security offensives were carried out in Hama and Idlib, allegedly in an effort to find Hama attorney general Adnan Bakkour, who days earlier had tenured his resignation via a video statement that likewise details alleged government crimes against Syrian civilians. According to activists, tanks and military forces were deployed in an effort to intimidate locals into divulging information about Bakkour’s whereabouts. 
 
Military operations were also reportedly carried out in Homs as well as in Deir ez-Zor on Sunday. 
 
On Monday, Syrian military forces carried out raids in a number of towns and cities leading to an estimated six deaths – three in Homs, one in the eastern border town of Talk Khalakh, and another in the northern region of Idlib. At the same time, foreign media reported that some 330 Syrians fled across the border into Turkey with one group allegedly coming under fire by Syrian security forces, resulting in the death of one. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the man who was killed was shot by a sniper. 
 
Violence deepened on Wednesday, with a number of international sources reporting that between 28 and 34 people were killed in security crackdowns and violence across the country – including in Homs where upwards of nine people were reportedly killed according to foreign media. State media reported that eight law enforcement personnel were killed. 
 
11 security force members and four civilians were also injured when an explosion allegedly went off in a military bus in the town of Naeima near Daraa on Wednesday. According to state media, the blast was set off by trained terrorists. 
 
Attorney General Adnan Bakkour
Hama attorney general Adnan Bakkour issued a second video on September 1, denying charges by the Syrian government that he tendered his resignation under threat of violence. Instead according to Bakkour, he said that he had issued his statement of resignation freely and that all accusations against him by the government and allegations of his kidnapping were “untrue and utterly false“. He went on to state that, “The regime’s thugs attempted to kidnap me today from Hama but they failed. I am under the protection of the rebels and the people.” 
 
International Committee of the Red Cross holds meetings with Syrian president, officials & tours Syrian prison
Jakob Kellenberger, president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), also arrived in Damascus for a two-day trip to hold talks with President Assad as well as Prime Minister Adel Safar and Minister of Foreign Affairs Walid al-Moallem. Kellenberger held similar meetings with Syrian officials in June with the intent of broadening the ICRC’s access to the country’s hotspots. The weekend’s meeting was intended to review related progress.
 
On Monday, an ICRC delegation was granted access to a key prison in Damascus for the first time since the start of the revolution in March. The prison, located in the Damascus suburb of Adra, primarily houses criminals, not political dissidents. Nevertheless, the move was viewed favorably by the organization. 
 
International Politics & Diplomacy
 
France, Britain, Turkey, United States call for UN action
During a meeting in conjunction with a Paris summit on the situation in Libya, high level officials from France, Britain, Turkey and the United States also met to discuss the possibilities for increased international action in response to the Syrian government’s violent crackdown against Syrian civilians. In attendance at the meeting were, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met with French President Nicolas Sarkozy, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and British Foreign Minister William Hague. 
 
 
British Prime Minister David Cameron also made a statement to the press regarding the international response to the crisis in Syria that day, expressing concern over the inability of the United Nations to adopt a firm response and stating that “Of course it’s frustrating that we can’t get a stronger resolution on Syria. I’d like us to get that. I think what’s happening in Syria is appalling. I think the world needs to stand up and speak clearly about this.” Cameron went on to state that, “we need tougher sanctions, more travel bans, more asset freezes, a clear message that the regime and what it is doing is unacceptable.”
 
France “will do all that is legally possible” to help Syrian people 
AFP reported on September 1 that during his annual address to his country’s diplomats, French President Nicolas Sarkozy stated that, “The regime in Damascus wrongly believes it is safe from its own people. What the Syrian president has done is irreparable. France, with its partners, will do all that is legally possible in order to help the Syrian people achieve their aspirations for freedom and democracy… the Syrian regime is mistaken to think that the people support it.” 
 
UNESCO chief – “torture and detention will never convince the people of Syria that might is right”
On Thursday September 1, Irina Bokova, the Director-General of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) issued a statement indicating that she is “alarmed at continuing reports of detention and physical abuse against journalists [in Syria]” and that, “Torture and detention will never convince the people of Syria that might is right. It is essential for the future of the country and its people that the authorities respect freedom of expression and listen to what their critics have to say.”
 
EU oil embargo, sanctions
EU foreign ministers also met in Poland on Friday September 2 and officially agreed to ban the purchase, import and transport of oil and all other Syrian petroleum products. Syria exports approximately 150,000 barrels of oil per day, some 95 percent of which ends up in Europe. According to EU trade spokesman John Clancy, Syria brought in an estimated USD 4.3 billion in 2010 via oil sales to the EU. 
 
The following day, the EU officially implemented the oil embargo as well as its latest round of sanctions against individuals and entities in the most critical international move thus far to isolate the Syrian government. 
 
At a press conference in Poland on Saturday, EU foreign polecat chief Catherine Ashton said that the new sanctions and embargo “are targeted to try and deprive the regime of its financial revenues“.
 
Anglo-Dutch Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Total SA of France and MOL Nyrt of Hungary are among the oil companies with the biggest business in Syrian oil. The embargo is immediately in place for all parties except for Italy, which has until November 15 of this year to sort out its Syrian contracts. 
 
In response to the EU’s formal implementation of the embargo and further sanctions, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that the sanctions would “lead to nothing good” noting that “We [the Russian government officials] are against unilateral sanctions” and that the move “ruins the partnership approach to any crisis”.
 
Iranian official – “supporting the Syrian rulers at any cost…not right”
On Thursday September 1, a member of the Iranian parliament’s national security commission, Ahmad Avaei, commented in an interview with Fars News Agency that the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s opposition to Israel and ongoing support for Hezbollah was insufficient reasons to continue supporting the current Syrian government amid violence against Syrian civilians. Avaei stated that, “The fact is that supporting the Syrian rulers at any cost was not right, as those who staged the protests were Muslims, and their protests were legitimate. Unfortunately, the Syrian leadership has realized too late the necessity of entering the reform process and should have done that much earlier to avoid the current crisis.” 
 
Avaei is only the second key Iranian official to publicly criticize the current Syrian government since the start of the Syrian revolution in March.
 
Organisation of Islamic Cooperation – Syrian officials promised change but “so far nothing of that sort has happened”
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Secretary-General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu issued a statement regarding the Syrian government’s response to the revolution on Saturday September 3, stating that “We were promised by top Syrian officials that the security situation would improve, but so far nothing of that sort has happened… Even al-Moallem promised that the security situation would improve but it did not. We were also told that some hidden hands were agitating sentiments against Syria. Regrettably, we have not seen any improvement so far. The situation is worsening.” 
 
Ihsanoglu went on to assert that,  “There is no intention on the part of the members to freeze Syria’s membership in the organization at the moment. The political will toward this end is not available now, because all the members are still making individual efforts toward a peaceful solution.” 
 
Arab League – Elaraby granted official visit
Nabil Elaraby, chief of the Arab League made a statement at a press conference at the League’s Cairo-based headquarters on Sunday indicating that the Syrian government had granted him an official visit. Though the meeting was initially scheduled for Wednesday September 7, Syrian officials reportedly postponed the visit until Saturday, September 10. 
 
US Ambassador Ford – Facebook note to Syrians on the international meddling, Syrian government’s use of force against them
On Tuesday September 6, US Ambassador Ford posted a Facebook note addressing claims of foreign meddling in Syrian affairs and the Syrian government’s ongoing and indeed intensifying use of force against the Syrian opposition. An abbreviated version of the text is below – to read it in full, follow this link. 
 
“…Some of the people who write on this page complain that the U.S. is “helping terrorists” in Syria.  We support the right of Syrians to protest peacefully.  Peaceful protesters are not “terrorists,” and after all the evidence accumulated over the past six months, no one except the Syrian government and its supporters believes that the peaceful protesters here are… 
 
“The United Nations, which was finally allowed to send an assessment team here, instead has directly assigned responsibility for the violence in Syria to the Syrian government.  The Arab League has assigned responsibility for the violence to the Syrian government.  The European Union and its member states have done so.  The governments of Canada, Japan and Saudi Arabia have done so.  The Turkish government has done so.  Don’t like or trust the United States – fine – look at what other organizations and countries are saying…
 
“Some Syrian security service members have been killed.  Some want the United States to acknowledge it; well, I’m the American ambassador, and I just did.  But the number of security service members killed is far, far lower than the number of unarmed civilians killed.  No one in the international community accepts the justification from the Syrian government that those security service members’ deaths justify the daily killings, beatings, extrajudicial detentions, torture and harassment of unarmed civilian protesters… 
 
“…given the extent of the government’s brutality, neither the Syrian protest movement nor the international community will believe that this Syrian leadership desires or is capable of the deep, genuine and credible reforms that the Syrian people demand.  This isn’t about Western military intervention.  This isn’t about oil …This isn’t about Israel or the West wanting to dominate the Arab world …This is about basic political freedoms from the United Nations’ Human Rights Charter – signed by Syria, don’t forget – which calls for freedom of speech and freedom of peaceful assembly.  And the United States wholly supports Syrians’ rights to exercise those freedoms.”
 
French Foreign Minister: Syrian government committing crimes against humanity
On Wednesday September 7, French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe stated while at a joint press conference in Moscow following a meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov, that the “Syrian regime has committed crimes against humanity.” Juppe went on to state that “We believe that this country must be sent a strong signal that the continuation of these actions is unacceptable.” Juppe also urged for Russian support of a UN Security Council resolution against Syria, explaining that, “I hope Russia will back us in the Security Council even if our positions do not yet fully agree.” Russia continues in its opposition to any such UN resolution, pointing to the recent Libya case as an example of how such moves are exploited by international actors. 
 
Further reading: 
 
“How Not to Prolong the Syrian Agony” – Foreign Policy – Peter Harling, Iraq-Syria-Lebanon project director of the International Crisis Group, cautions international actors against implementing broad scale economic sanctions against Syria and racing to form and back an opposition coalition, noting that compulsive action will only prolong the Syrian crisis. Harling puts forth a list of key questions, the answers for which he believes the international community must push Syrian dissidents to answer: “How to ensure that the collapse of the regime not provoke or lead to the simultaneous collapse of the weak state?; How to deal with a military that has not stepped up to its task as a national army?; How to maintain security with an inept and corrupt police force?; How to ensure the well-being of the Allawite community, without which Syria cannot be soundly rebuilt?, and; What will be needed to kick-start economic recovery?” 
 
“A Lifetime of Resistance in Syria” – The Nation – Sharif Abdel Kouddous writes about Haitham al-Maleh, an 81-year-old Syrian human rights lawyer who has engaged in decades-long resistance to government repression in Syria. 
 
“The Arab Spring: Anatomy of a Tipping Point” – Al Jazeera – Scholars Leila Hudson and Matt Flannes put forth an excellent analysis of the “second wave of the Arab spring” in which both Libya and Syria appear poised to overthrow their respective governments amid deepening violence. The authors breakdown the implications of international intervention in both, using Crane Brinton’s take on the key components of modern revolution – including the role of outside actors – as their guide. 
 
“Will Syria Follow Libya?” – Council on Foreign Relations – An interview with Edward C. Luck exploring the likelihood the of international community rallying around foreign military intervention in Syria, using the Libya case as a basis of comparison. 
 
“Escaping Mumana’a and the US-Saudi Counter-Revolution: Syria, Yemen, and Visions of Democracy – Interview with Fawwaz Travoulsi” – Jadaliyya – Ahmad Shokr and Anjali Kamat interview Fawwaz Traboulsi on the Syrian revolution, how Traboulsi characterizes Syrian protestors and the government’s response to them, and the direction in which the revolution is heading. 
 
“Iran and Syria: America’s Middle East Pundits Get it Wrong (again)” – The Race for Iran –  Flynt Leverett and Hillary Mann Leverett offer up a view of the Syrian revolution from Iran that calls the prevailing sentiment in Washington – that the collapse of the Syrian government would be a fatal blow to the Islamic Republic – into question. 
 
“Syria’s Opposition: Transition and Division” – Al Jazeera – Though Al Jazeera’s news coverage of the situation in Syria is not without troubles, this backgrounder is useful for those looking for an overview of the Syrian opposition and the issues that have hindered its cohesiveness. 
 
Security
 
Syrian chemical weapons still under control of government
On Tuesday August 30, US State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland stated that the US government believes that the Syrian government remains in control of its chemical weapons stockpiles – following Israeli reports that there is reason to believe that they could be seized by members of the Syrian opposition. 
 
Specifically, Nuland stated that “We have long called on the Syrian government to give up its chemical weapons arsenal and to join the Chemical Weapons Convention, which it has not yet done. That said, we do believe that Syria’s chemical stockpile remains under government control and that there is no change in the lockdown status of those weapons.” 
 
According to the US government, Syria has stockpiles of mustard gas as well as VX and Sarin gas. 
 
Syrian government reneges on promises to IAEA
On Friday September 2, international media reported that the Syrian government had reneged on its promise to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to promptly put forth more information that would challenge the IAEA’s assessment that it had attempted to build a plutonium-producing reactor at a site in the desert that was later bombed by Israeli warplanes. The government has now pushed back the date by which it will provide such information to October. 
 
According to two diplomats who requested that they remain anonymous, UN nuclear chief Yukiya Amano will reportedly inform the board of the IAEA during its next meeting on September 12, that he has failed in his efforts to make progress on the Syria case.
 
The Syrian government continues to deny all charges of its alleged efforts to produce enriched uranium. 

August 31, 2011 – Syria News Blog: A Roundup of International Reportage

/in /by

The Syrian Revolution

Ramadan came to an end this week with activists charging that some 473 people were killed amid security crackdowns during the 29 days that spanned the holy month. 360 civilians and 113 members of Syrian security forces were among the dead. Though the violence that shook the month was anticipated by many who predicted that daily antigovernment protests would be met with fierce suppression by security forces, those who expected the protests and violence to bring about the collapse of the government have instead found that the standoff between the opposition and the Syrian government remains strong. Deepening US and EU sanctions and the growing prospect of a European oil embargo against Syrian crude – which will undoubtedly destroy the last vestiges of the Syrian economy – likewise suggest that while the international community rallies against the Syrian government, the Syrian people will continue to pay the price for official decisions made at home – and abroad. 

 
Ramadan unrest, protest flashpoints 
On Wednesday August 24, security forces carried out mass arrests in the province of Deir ez-Zor as between 20 and 30 tanks reportedly arrived in Mayadeen and Alburhama. One person was reportedly killed during the operations. Another twelve people were reportedly killed in Homs, Medan – a district of Damascus, and Hama. The electricity was reportedly cut in sections of Homs in advance of military operations. Raids were also carried out in Harasta, another Damascus district, as security forces attempted to thwart ongoing attempts to organize mass demonstrations. Thirty-seven people were reportedly arrested.  
 
August 26 marked the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan and Syrian protestors again held demonstrations in cities and towns across the country. In Deir ez-Zor, protestors reportedly called for the death of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, shouting “The people want the execution of the president!” – according to foreign media sources. 
 
There were protests in numerous of the capital’s suburbs, as well as in Aleppo. The day was termed the “Friday of patience and steadfastness”. Nevertheless, protestor numbers had undeniably declined, as the day ended with none of the massive demonstrations seen in previous weeks. Two people were reportedly killed in Deir ez-Zor, as security attempted to suppress crowds of protestors. 
 
 
The southern city of Daraa, the revolution’s original flash point, also saw demonstrations and violence on Friday as security forces reportedly used live ammunition against two large groups of protestors – reportedly totaling an estimated 2,000. 
 
SANA reported that 11 security and army forces were killed by armed terrorists in Homs and Deir ez-Zor that day, with another 16 injured. 
 
Saturday was a holy day commemorating the prophet Muhammad’s receiving of the Koran and there were further demonstrations across the country as people finished morning prayers – including in and around Damascus, with one person shot and killed whilst leaving Rifai mosque in Kafer Souseh, a Damascus neighborhood, and the mosque’s sheik and nine others injured during the crackdown. At the same time, there were protests in the neighborhood of Roukn Eddine as well as Zabadani – one of the city’s suburbs. 
 
 
Meanwhile, state-run news SANA denied all reports of demonstrations and worsening tensions in Damascus, stating that “tranquility and normal life prevail as people continue their normal lives” in the Syrian capital. 
 
In the northern town of Kfar Nabel not far from Idlib, another person was reportedly killed during house raids. 
 
On Sunday August 28, international media reported that two people were shot and killed and nine others wounded amid security crackdowns the Khan Sheikhun area not far from the city of Idlib. 
 
In Daraa, two people also died from injuries sustained during security crackdowns on Friday. Two others died after being shot by snipers in the Damascus district of Harasta while another was killed in the suburb of Saqba the night before.
 
There were house raids in a number of town in the province of Deir ez-Zor throughout the day on Sunday. A 12-year-old boy was killed and four other people, a woman among them, were injured during the raids.
 
On Monday, some 15 people were reportedly killed amid security crackdowns in Homs, while another 400 were reportedly arrested. Troops were reported in the city of Rastan and protests were held in numerous locations across the country – including Deir ez-Zor, Aleppo and several Damascus neighborhoods – including the central district of Malki.
 
In Sarmin, a district of the northwest province of Idlib, some 60 people were reportedly injured amid house raids. 
 
According to Ammar Qurab of the National Organisation for Human Rights in Syria, in the short span of days between August 19 and 25, an estimated 96 people were killed by Syrian security forces. 
 
On Tuesday Yassein Ziadeh, brother of Radwan Ziadeh, head of the Damascus Centre for Human Rights Studies and visiting scholar at George Washington University, was arrested by Syrian security forces on August 30. Yassein, who is married and with children, was arrested after prayers in Daraya, a town about 10 km outside of Damascus. 
 
The day marked the end of the holy month of Ramadan and security forces reportedly opened fire on protestors in a number of cities as they were exiting mosques, resulting in the deaths of another seven civilians. Four people were reportedly killed in Hara and two in Inkil – both in the province of Daraa. Another died in Homs. 
 
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, 473 people were killed during Ramadan including 360 civilians and 113 members of the Syrian security forces. Twenty-eight people died whilst in detention and/or under torture. 
 
Army defections 
According to foreign reportage, a growing number of Syrian soldiers are defecting and joining up with Syrian protestors. On Sunday, reports suggested that the Syrian military was engaged in overnight gun battles with army defectors who had allegedly refused to open fire against Syrian protestors in Harasta. The gunfights were said to have occured in the northeast Damascus area of Al-Ghouta. According to the reports, which have come from a broad swath of sources, the soldiers who defected numbered in the dozens.
 
Defections have also reported in Homs and its suburbs in recent days. Accounts from defected soldiers of the violence against civilians in the city are troubling. Many report that military forces fire upon those who refuse to shoot civilians. While such reports cannot be confirmed, they are widespread.
 
Attorney General Adnan Bakkour 
On Monday, SANA reported that Syria’s Attorney General Adnan Bakkour was kidnapped in the city of Hama whilst traveling to work in the morning. 
 
International media report a different story, however, publishing a video statement by Bakkour indicating that he was resigning from his post in Hama in protest against what he asserts are crimes against humanity committed by the Syrian government against civilians. Bakkour provided a list of reasons for his resignation, chief among them were: the murder of 72 prisoners in Hama’s central prison on July 31 of this year – activists and protestors among them; the burying of over 420 people in mass graves in public parks by security forces – all of whom he alleges he was told to report were killed by armed gangs; the arbitrary arrest and detention of peaceful protestors – of whom he claims there are an estimated 10,000; the torture of prisoners – of whom he estimates some 320 have died whilst being abused, and; the destruction of homes in Hama with residents still inside. 
 
The government claims that the video of Bakkour explaining the reasons for his resignation was filmed by his kidnappers and that he made such statements under threat of force. 
 
Cartoonist Ali Farzat
On Thursday August 25, Syria’s most famous and indeed world renowned cartoonist, Ali Farzat, was forcibly removed from his car in Damascus, brutally beaten, and left alongside the road. He was later picked up by passersby and taken to the hospital. 
 
The attack, which international sources attribute to government sanctioned supporters and the Syrian government attributes to “veiled people“, came after Farzat published a cartoon showing President al-Assad attempting to hitch a ride with Libya’s Moammar Gaddafi. The attackers focused on Farzat’s hands, breaking one of them. For a number of days after Farzat was beaten, his website was taken offline.
 
 
Amnesty International – report on deaths in detention
On Wednesday August 31, Amnesty International released a report,”Deadly Detention: Deaths In Custody Amid Popular Protest in Syria,” indicating that scores of civilians have died whilst in detention for their suspected or actual participation in the country’s revolutionary unrest. The organization puts the estimated total number of deaths at 88. Children and women are reported among the fatalities – which generally occurred as a consequence of beatings and/or torture. The organizations is calling on the UN Security Council to refer the Syria case to the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court for alleged crimes against humanity. 
 
Government reform – new media law enacted
On Sunday, President al-Assad issued a Presidential Legislative Decree that purports to bring an end to government control over the media, newspapers and all other publications in Syria. The law requires the government to lift many of the restrictions it has in place against journalists, whilst also allowing independent news organizations to operate within the country. For more details on the law, as well as some of its likely drawbacks, see here. 
 
International Politics & Diplomacy 
 
International sanctions, oil embargo, associated repercussions 
On August 25, Visa and Mastercard both announced that their credit cards would not longer be valid in Syria as a consequence of new US sanctions –  a move that impacts what lingers of the country’s foreign residents and visitors, as well as Syria’s merchant class and all other Syrians who applied for and obtained such cards since they became available in Syria in 2005. 
 
On August 24, in response to expanded EU sanctions against the Syrian government and high-level Syrian officials, Gulfsands Petroleum Plc (GPX), a British oil explorer with operations in Syria, announced that it was suspending its payments to as well as voting rights of Rami Makhlouf, Syria’s most wealthy and well-known businessman and cousin of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Makhlouf owns 5.75 percent of Gulfsands via Al Mashrek Global Invest. 
 
On Monday, the EU reached an agreement on a ban of oil imports from Syria during a meeting between EU experts and political representatives in Brussels. Some 95 percent of Syrian oil exports end up in Europe. 
 
 
Of the imposition of sanctions against Moallem, US State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said, “This is a guy who we consider has been spreading untruths about the opposition in Syria, untruths about the security situation, untruths about the regime’s activity, and as such has been misleading in his role as foreign minister.” Nuland continued, “we want to make clear that we are holding him and these other two personally responsible for propagating and advancing the regime’s violence and that has not … changed.”
 
The EU also placed new sanctions against three Syrian companies and four figures on Tuesday while Italy came forward asking to push back the deadline for the oil embargo until November – thus allowing time for its current supply contracts with Syria to expire. EU officials had originally aimed to finalize the embargo by the end of this week. 
 
The EU embargo on Syrian crude is, according to a Syrian ports document, expected to have the strongest impact on Italy. In the month of July this year, almost half of all Syrian oil exports ended up in Italian ports – that is, 55,132 barrels a day out of a total of 110,521 exported. However, it should be noted that the document only covers one month of oil exports. Other recipients of Syrian oil included France, Turkey and Spain.
 
While many view an oil embargo against Syrian crude as central to bringing about the collapse of the Syrian economy and perhaps the subsequent fall of the current government, others caution that such a move would undoubtedly have a devastating impact on the economy – and Syrian citizens – but that it would take many months – not just a matter of days or weeks, for the full impact of the embargo to kick in. 
 
South Korea – travel ban
Last week, the South Korean Foreign Ministry announced that it was banning its citizens from traveling to Syria, in response to the country’s deepening security crisis. The travel ban, effective beginning August 30, is in place for the coming six months and those who do not comply with it, face a possible one year prison sentence or a fine. At present, there are 74 Korean students living in the country. According to the ministry, they must obtain permission from the South Korean government by September 6 if they wish to stay. The government of South Korea has travel bans against a total of six foreign countries – including Libya, Afghanistan, Somalia, Iraq and Yemen. 
 
Qatar
Qatar’s Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani issued a statement on Friday August 26 in response to the situation in Syria, stating that “All of us, who stood by Syria in its difficult times, have tried to encourage our brothers in Syria to make real reforms. The Syrian people have taken to the street in a real civil uprising to demand change, justice and freedom. Everyone knows that the security approach has proven fruitless, and the Syrian people do not seem about to abandon its demands after the price that it has paid.” Sheikh Hamad was on an official visit to Iran. 
 
Russia
Russia introduced a UN resolution on the Syria issue on August 26 calling upon the Syrian government to bring an end to the violence against protestors and speed up reforms, but neglecting to mention any official UN sanctions against the country. The UK and Germany responded by approving Russia’s stronger stance against Syria, but noting that in the absence of sanctions, any such resolution was weak. The Russian draft specifically calls for “an inclusive and Syrian-led political process” and calls upon the Syrian opposition to engage in dialogue with the government. 
 
On Monday, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov arrived in Damascus for talks with President Assad. According to Russian media sources, Bogdanov called upon the Syrian government to implement an immediate ceasefire and urged President Assad to implement reforms without delay. Bogdanov also called upon the Syrian opposition to participate in dialogue with the current Syrian government in an effort to restore peace. 
 
Hezbollah
On August 26 during a televised addressed, Hezbollah’s Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah reiterated Hezbollah’s support for the Syrian government, stating that, ”We stand by Syria’s side and by the leaders to support them in their reform process…Without Syria’s support, the South (of Lebanon) would never have been freed.” 
 
Nasrallah added that ‘Had it not been for Syria, the Lebanese resistance wouldn’t have triumphed in 2000, the Lebanese territories wouldn’t have been restored and Gaza wouldn’t have remained firm and strong…We want a strong Syria and all those who say they have the interests of Syria, its people and its future at heart, should make efforts to calm the situation now so that everything can be resolved peacefully”. 
 
 
Iran
On Saturday August 27, Iran called upon the Syrian government to recognize the Syrian people’s “legitimate” demands – marking the first time Tehran has publicly rebuked the the Syrian government since the start of the unrest in March. The remarks came from Iran’s foreign minister, Ali Akbar Salehi who said of the unrest across countries in the region, that “government should answer to the demands of its people, be it Syria, Yemen or other countries. The people of these nations have legitimate demands, and the governments should answer these demands as soon as possible.” He continued, “a vacuum in the Syrian regime would have an unpredictable impact on the region and its neighbors.” 
 
Though Salehi’s remarks did not push for a specific path of change in Damascus, they marked a significant shift in Iran’s response to the Syrian revolution – and indeed all of those revolutions that have shaken the region in recent months. 
 
The Arab League
The Arab League held a meeting in Cairo on Saturday with the intention of warning Syria that it will no longer be silent regarding the Syrian government’s use of violence against Syrian protestors. Though an unnamed official in attendance at the meeting reportedly indicated that suspending Syria from the League is “not on the table,” participants did agree to  “send a message to the Syrian leader [President Assad]  informing him that Arab silence on what is taking place in Syria is no longer acceptable.”
 
The Syrian government responded to the Saturday’s statement by the Arab League asserting that “the Syrian leadership responded to those popular demands [of Syria’s revolutionaries] through a series of procedures and laws to improve the living conditions and start a national dialogue.” According to the government, the “response of the Syrian leadership to the popular demands has contributed to stopping the popular protests in several cities; however, a suspicious activity by some outlaws of known political and religious backgrounds started in some Syrian cities.” 
 
According to the same sources, Syria is still “proceeding with reform and fulfilling the legitimate demands of citizens and the national duty of protecting their security” and the government will not “allow terrorism and extremism to undermine coexistence and independence of national decision-making”. 
 
According to a quote put forth by SANA, Youssef Ahmad, Syria’s permanent representative to the Arab League stated that the Syrian government views it as “strange that some Arab and regional sides issued statements of ‘advice’ to the Syrian leadership at a time which coincides with an increase of international and US pressure.” Ahmad continued that, “Syria would accept advice and experiences from friendly countries which are truly concerned over stability and security of Syria and have a practical and constitutional experience in the field of basic public freedoms.”
 
Turkey
Foreign media reported on Sunday August 28 that Turkish President Abdullah Gul told Anatolia news agency that “Clearly we [the Turkish government] have reached a point where anything would be too little too late. We lost our confidence.” Gul continued, “incidents are said to be ‘finished’ and then another 17 are dead. How many will it be today? … Today in the world there is no place for authoritarian administrations, one-party rule, closed regimes.” Such administrations could be “replaced by force” if those at their helm did not implement reform. “Everyone should know that we are with the Syrian people,” he continued.
 
Syria-Libya ties
While the Syrian government continues its steady descent into international isolation, it appears to be maintaining its links to Libya’s Moammar Gaddafi. Indeed, the only television station in the world willing to air Gaddafi’s rants, is the privately owned network called Al Oruba TV – which has firm ties to the Syria-based TV station Arrai TV. Continued linkages between the Syrian government and Gaddafi come at a considerable political risk to President Assad. While Arrai is a private channel, it would be impossible for it to continue airing such content without approval from the Syrian government. 
 
US Ambassador attacked in Damascus
On August 29, international media reported that a video leaked onto the internet shows that US ambassador to Syria was attacked in front of the Cham Palace Hotel in Damascus by a bunch of pro-government men on August 23. One of the attackers attempted to wrap the ambassador in a banner featuring the face of President Assad. The ambassador was not injured during the attack and was quickly put in a car and driven off by his security.
 
Further reading:
 
“The Endgame for Syria’s Bloody Junta” – The Guardian – Key Syrian opposition activist, Burhan Ghalioun, argues that the Syrian revolt has thus far demonstrated two key facts: 1) the Syrian government has no intention of implementing serious reform, and; 2) members of the Syrian opposition will “persist in their struggle until they achieve their demands for freedom and the establishment of a democratic authority of their choosing – whatever the cost”. As Ghalioun sees it, though the Syrianrevolution has suffered considerable blows – first and foremost among them, the Syrian government’s use of extreme violence against members of the opposition – it is “not the popular protest movement that is now facing crisis, but the regime”. 
 
“If the Arab Spring Turns Ugly” – The New York Times – Vali Nasr, a professor at The Fletcher School, Tufts University and a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution puts forth an accessible assessment of the regional sectarian rivalries that threaten to destroy the hopeful motivations behind the Syrian revolution – and all others that have taken hold of the Middle East this year. 
 
“Drawing the Regime’s Wrath” – The Economist – Background on Syrian cartoonist Ali Farzat, who was attacked (allegedly by Syrian security forces) last week in Damascus after publishing a controversial cartoon depicting President Assad attempting to hitch a ride with Libya’s Moammar Gaddafi. The article details the wrath Farzat has endured over the years for his controversial and unflinching caricatures of Arab leaders – President Assad among them. 
 
Two articles by journalist Anthony Shadid for The New York Times – the latter being particularly noteworthy: “After Arab Revolts, Reigns of Uncertainty” – An exploration of the uncertainty that now enshrouds the revolutions across the Middle East and their plausible outcomes. “Syria’s Sons of No One” – New York Times – Shadid offers up an extended account of his time with a number of wanted Syrian dissidents, covering their views of the revolution and perspective on why it must carry on. Worth reading. 
 
“Iran Makes a U-turn on Syria” – Asia Times – Kaveh Afrasiabi evaluates Tehran’s change of policy with regard to the situation in Syria by referring to the “legitimate demands” of Syrian protesters and the need for the Syrian government to respect the people’s rights to “achieve freedom”. According to Afrasiabi, Tehran now recognizes that the current Syrian government may not weather the revolt and has responded by adopting a “dualistic approach toward Syria” – pushing for reform on the one hand, and discretely supporting the Syrian government on the other. 
 
Culture
 
Syrian poet Adonis wins Goethe Prize
On August 28, Syrian poet Adonis won Germany’s Goethe Prize for “transposing Europe’s modern achievements into the Arab world,” according to the jury.
 
The poet, born Ali Ahmad Said Esber in 1930, became serious about poetry after having the opportunity to recite a poem to then Syrian President Shukri al-Kuwatli. He eventually graduated from Damascus University with a degree in philosophy in 1954. His poetry was not widely published until after he adopted his pen name, after the mythical god of fertility. After he was imprisoned for his political activities, he sought refugee in Beirut in 1956. Adonis studied in Paris in the 1960s, and eventually became a professor of Arabic literature at the University of Lebanon – though he fled the war in Lebanon and took up permanent residence in France in 1980.
 
Adonis has published over 30 books. The Goethe Prize is month the most prestigious of Germany’s literary awards and is only granted every three years. Past winners include Sigmund Freud (1930), Max Planck (1945), Walter Gropius (1961) and Pina Bausch (2008).

August 24, 2011 – Syria News Blog: A Roundup of International Reportage

/in /by

The Syrian Revolution

On Thursday August 18, the US and its European allies Britain, France, Germany and the European Union, called upon Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to “step aside” for “the sake of the Syrian people”. Days later, the United Nations Human Rights Council issued a resolution in condemnation of the Syrian government’s “grave” human rights violations and called for the immediate dispatch of an independent international commission of inquiry. The US and EU also imposed further sanctions against key Syrian officials last week as President Assad gave his fourth public statement since the start of the unrest, shunning the opportunity to announce new political reforms. Meanwhile, over 350 people have died amid security crackdowns since the start of Ramadan on August 1 and international commentary on the Syrian crisis is edging toward broad scale concurrence: in the absence of the implementation of profound, systemic reform, the Syrian government is unlikely to weather the revolution intact. 

 
Ramadan Unrest 
An estimated 40 people were killed in violence across the country on Friday as thousands again took to the streets to demand the downfall of the current government. The day’s protests were called the “Friday of the beginnings of victory“. 15 people were killed in the southern province of Daraa, including two children and five soldiers – who according to international reportage, refused to open fire on unarmed protestors. 
 
A number of deaths were reported in Damascus suburbs as well as in the central city of Homs. According to activists, live ammunition was used against demonstrators in Aleppo, Homs and Lattakia. Mass arrests were reportedly carried out in Aleppo – were some three people were killed on Thursday. Protests in Deir ez-Zor reportedly drew massive crowds – parts of which were calling for the outright execution of the president. 
 
Two people were reportedly killed amid security crackdowns in Homs on Saturday, with another eight sustaining injuries. Regardless of President Assad’s assurances earlier in the week that military operations in civilian areas would come to an immediate end, troop reinforcements were reportedly sent to flash points in Homs, Hama, Lattakia and Deir ez-Zor.
 
Violence continued at a number of locations around the country during the first half of the week, with the worst reports coming from Homs, Hama and Idlib where some 15 people were reportedly killed by security forces on Tuesday while another 10 were killed the day before amid anti-government rallies in Aleppo, Homs and Hama.
 
 
On Wednesday, security forces carried out mass arrests in the province of Deir ez-Zor as between 20 and 30 tanks reportedly arrived in Mayadeen and Alburhama. One person was reportedly killed. In the last three weeks, more than 40 people have died in the eastern province. 
 
This week’s success of the Libyan rebel forces in liberating Tripoli has led many to speculate that Syrian revolutionaries will be further inspired to take to the streets in protest until the current government collapses. 
 
Meanwhile, political analysts the world over seem to increasingly agree that it is unlikely that the current Syrian government will survive the revolution – with some noting that if the Syrian military backs off, thousands more will take to the streets and if it does not, protests will continue as the economy slowly collapses and people become increasingly exasperated. 
 
 
International Committee of the Red Cross – humanitarian access 
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) also announced on Friday that it was on the brink of gaining access to Syria’s detention centers where thousands of alleged dissidents are said to be being held. Marianne Gasser, the head of the ICRC’s delegation in Syria said that the agency was in the process of sorting out the details of the visits but that she was confident the organization would be permitted to visit the facilities. More than 15,000 suspected dissidents have been arrested across Syria since March 15 – many of whom are now held in schools, hospitals and sports stadiums with prisons long since overrun.
 
President al-Assad – television interview 
On Sunday, President Assad gave a 40-minute television interview to two Syrian reporters during which he announced the solution to the current crisis in Syria will be a “political” one. The President also said that he expected the country to hold parliamentary elections in February 2012 and that the country’s troubled relations with the West constitute a “conflict over sovereignty”. Regardless of ongoing military operations across the country, daily reports of civilian deaths amid security crackdowns and broad scale international condemnations of the worsening violence in the country, President Assad stated that the security situation in Syria is better now and that critical gains were made in recent weeks. 
 
Specifically, President Assad stated that, “During the latest weeks, the security situation shifted towards the armed acts, particularly last Friday through attacking the Army, police and security posts, assassination acts and ambushing military and civil vehicles… this may seem dangerous regarding the question on if the security situation is better, but in reality we are capable of dealing with all that and we have made security achievements recently which we have not announced yet in order to ensure their success.” 
 
Regarding the solution to the current crisis, he stated that “There is nothing called the security solution or the security alternative… there is only the political solution…even the states that go to wage wars, they go only for a political goal, not for the sake of a military purpose… there is no security alternative, but to be accurate, there is preservation of security.”
 
The President also indicated that the constitution would be reviewed – including Article 8 – and that “the most important thing at this stage is to continue dialogue”. He warned against any foreign military intervention in the country and expressed confidence that the Syrian people will gain “more strength” as a result of weathering the current crisis. 
 
Needless to say, the speech was did little to assuage current hostilities and the country’s current crisis and reports indicated that protestors immediately took to the streets in anger – including in the capital Damascus – following the President’s statements. One well known member of the opposition, Suheir Atassi, reportedly called the interview an “empty media appearance“.  
 
International Politics & Diplomacy
 
United Nations 
Possible International Criminal Court referral 
On August 18, UN investigators formally announced that they have compiled sufficient evidence to recommend that the UN Security Council send the Syria case to the International Criminal Court to prosecute some 50 Syrian suspects for committing crimes against humanity. The investigators have evidence indicating that Syrian security forces implemented a shoot to kill policy against unarmed civilians, frequently at close range and without any form of warning. 
 
Additionally, there is considerable evidence that security forces consistently employ a number of other means to kill alleged dissidents, including knives, grenades, tanks, machine guns and helicopters. The report issued by the investigators stated that, “The Mission found a pattern of human rights violations that  constitutes widespread or systematic attacks against the civilian population, which may amount to crimes against humanity as provided for in article 7 of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.”
 
The report divides the patterns of human rights violations into categories of, murder and disappearances, torture, deprivation of liberty, and persecution. For the full, unedited report follow this link. 
 
Nevertheless, it is important to recall that the ICC does not have any jurisdiction over Syria as Syria is not a State Party to the Rome Statute which indeeds governs the Court. The UN Security Council (UNSC)alone has the authority to grant the chief ICC prosecutor, Luis Moreno-Ocampo, the authority to initiate a legal case against Syria at the ICC. However, given UNSC tensions over the Syria case in its entirety, it is unclear if the Council could make such a move. 
 
The ICC was established in 2002 for the purposes of prosecuting grave crimes, including war crimes and crimes against humanity. Its jurisdiction is limited to those countries that are signatories of the Rome Statue – the only exception being cases which the UNSC itself decides to investigate and bring before the Court. Libya and Sudan are such examples.
 
Were the UNSC to decide to investigate the Syria case, Syria would join the ranks of Northern Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Darfur, Kenya, Libya and the Central African Republic – all of which are currently subject to investigations for alleged mass atrocities. 
 
Human Rights Council resolution in condemnation of violence
On Monday August 22, the UN Human Rights Council held a special session on the status of human rights in Syria at the UN’s European headquarters in Geneva Switzerland. During the meeting, the 47-state Council voted 33-4 in condemnation of the use of violence by Syrian authorities against Syrian civilians. The text of the resolution specifically condemns the “continued grave and systematic human rights violations by the Syrian authorities” and called for the immediate dispatch of an independent international commission of inquiry.
 
Nine states abstained from the vote, all others who did not participate were absent. All four Arab states on the Council – Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan and Saudi Arabia – voted in favor of the condemnation – further highlighting Damascus’s deepening isolation in the the international community. To read the full text of the draft resolution, follow this link.
 
Draft resolution – foreign asset freeze, President Assad
On Tuesday August 23, the US, France and Britain circulated a draft resolution to the UNSC proposing that the foreign assets of President Assad, his brother Maher, as well as 21 other government officials be frozen. However, President Assad was left off the list of the 22 officials who whose travel from Syria would also be barred.
 
International calls for Assad’s ouster
On August 18, the US and its European allies – Britain, France, Germany and the European Union – called on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to step down from power. The coordinated statements declared that President Assad was not fit to rule as a consequence of his violent repression of the country-wide revolt. 
 
The statement from US President Obama marked the first time that the US leader made such explicit demands – though Obama’s statements in recent weeks had grown increasingly harsh. Specifically, Obama stated that, “The future of Syria must be determined by its people, but President Bashar al-Assad is standing in their way. His calls for dialogue and reform have rung hollow while he is imprisoning, torturing, and slaughtering his own people.  We have consistently said that President Assad must lead a democratic transition or get out of the way.  He has not led.  For the sake of the Syrian people, the time has come for President Assad to step aside.”
 
“The United States cannot and will not impose this transition upon Syria. It is up to the Syrian people to choose their own leaders, and we have heard their strong desire that there not be foreign intervention in their movement. What the United States will support is an effort to bring about a Syria that is democratic, just, and inclusive for all Syrians. We will support this outcome by pressuring President Assad to get out of the way of this transition, and standing up for the universal rights of the Syrian people along with others in the international community,” President Obama continued. 
 
French President Nicolas Sarkozy, British Prime Minister David Cameron, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel issued a joint statement indicating that Assad should “leave power in the greater interests of Syria and the unity of his people.” 
 
In response to the US/European call for Assad’s ouster, Syria’s ambassador to the UN, Bashar Ja’afari accused the US of instigating a “humanitarian and diplomatic war” against Syria in order to catalyze further violence by sending “the wrong message to the terrorist armed groups that they are under American and Western protection”.
 
A number of interesting reports emerged since Obama called for President Assad to “step aside” noting that Clinton used the term “step down” shortly after Obama’s statement and then corrected herself to say “step aside”. Subtleties of phrase are significant in the world of diplomacy and should not be taken casually – that Clinton corrected herself suggests that the US might condone President Assad remaining in Syria so long as someone else was at the country’s helm.
 
US & EU sanctions
At the same time that President Obama called for Assad to step down on August 18, he signed an executive order granting his administration the authority to impose further sanctions against the Syrian government and announced that no Syrian petroleum or petroleum products could be imported into the US. While the US does not import significant amounts of petroleum products from Syria, the measure could have a serious impact on the Syrian economy if it is adopted by the US’s allies in Europe. Italy, Germany and France are the largest European importers of Syrian petrol. 
 
The US move is a delicate one as the Obama Administration is keen to demonstrate it has no intentions of meddling more seriously in Syria’s domestic affairs. On this issue, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that, “We understand the strong desire of the Syrian people that no foreign country should intervene in their struggle, and we respect their wishes. At the same time, we will do our part to support their aspirations for a Syria that is democratic, just and inclusive, and we will stand up for their universal rights and dignity by pressuring the regime and Assad personally.”
 
The European Union also decided on Friday to expand its sanctions against Syria, adding some 20 new names to the list of individuals targeted with travel bans and asset freezes. At the same time, unnamed EU officials indicated that restrictive measures including an oil embargo on the import of Syrian crude oil were in the works. 
 
The Syrian government responded on Saturday to US/European calls for President Assad to step down through state-owned Al-Thawra newspaper, rejecting foreign meddling in Syria’s internal affairs and stating that the Western demands revealed the “face of the conspiracy” against Syria. 
 
On Tuesday August 23, the European Union approved a yet another list targeting 15 additional Syrian entities and officials with sanctions – including asset freezes, arms embargoes, and travel bans. 
 
At the same time, the EU imposed sanctions against Iran’s elite Al-Quds force (the highest ranking unit Iran’s Revolutionary Guards), accusing it of supporting via equipment and other means, President Assad’s efforts to suppress the Syrian revolution.
 
Switzerland – ambassador recalled
On August 18, Switzerland recalled its ambassador to Syria and issued a statement in condemning the Syrian government’s use of violence against civilian populations. The statement by the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs stated that, “The actions of the Syrian security forces are not acceptable. For this reason, the FDFA has recalled the Swiss Ambassador in Damascus to Berne for consultations.”
 
Philippines – labor ban
The Philippine government announced on Thursday August 18 that it was imposing temporary ban against labor deployments to Syria as a result of the country’s deepening violence. The ban applies to all those intending to work in Syria for the first time, or new hires, as well as any individuals returning to work in Syria.
 
Russia
On Friday August 19, the Russian foreign ministry issued a statement expressing its opposition to the US/European calls for President Assad to step down. In the statement, the ministry stated that, the Russian government does not “support such calls and believe that it is necessary now to give President Assad’s regime time to realise all the reform processes that have been announced“.
 
A few days later during a telephone interview on Tuesday August 23, an unnamed senior Russian official that he strongly advised against growing international interest in foreign intervention in Syria, noting that, “I would advise all countries thinking about Syria to keep in mind the negative example of Libya. The risk of civil war there is even greater than in Libya, which would lead to the collapse of the country.”
 
Iran
On August 20, Iran replaced its ambassador to Syria, Ahmad Mousavi, with Mohammadreza Raouf Sheybani after Mousavi allegedly quit his post. Sheybani was the former deputy at the Foreign Ministry’s Islamic Republic Middle East department. Foreign media allege that Iranian embassy staff have fled Damascus and returned home to Iran amid growing concern that the Syrian government is edging toward collapse.
 
US Ambassador Ford visits Jassem in province of Daraa
On Tuesday August 23, US Ambassador to Syria Robert Ford defied orders from Damascus to remain within 25 kilometers of Damascus and visited Jassem, a town in the southern province of Daraa. Some 15 people were reportedly shot and killed by security forces there on Friday amid antigovernment protests. 
 
Further reading
 
“Syrie : Une Révolte Si Loin, Si Proche” – Le Monde – A photo essay of the Syrian revolution with commentary (in French) by Syrian photographer Carole Alfarah.
 
“Report of the Fact-Finding Mission on Syria Pursuant to Human Rights Council Resolution S-16/1 – Unedited Version” – United Nations Human Rights Council – The complete UN report detailing the Syrian government’s alleged mass human rights violations since the start of the Syrian revolution on March 15 of this year. 
 
“Facing Facts on O’s Syria Miscues” – New York Post – John Bolton, former US ambassador to the UN offers up an op-ed highlighting what he views as President Obama’s myriad miscalculations with regard to the US’s Syria policy. 
 
“Conflicting Interests Paralyze Russian Diplomacy on Syria: Analysts” – Ria Novosti – A strong assessment of Russia’s strategic dilemma with regard to responding to Syria’s deepening revolutionary crisis. 
 
“Interventionists versus Non-interventionists” – Syria Comment – A summary of the divide between policymakers and analysts regarding whether or not foreign intervention is the answer to Syria’s current problems. 
 
“The Nexus and the Olive Tree” – Foreign Policy – Michael Doran calls upon the US to complete rethink its strategic goals for the Middle East by focusing first and foremost on responding to the region’s “intra-Muslim” conflicts. 
 
Energy
 
Great Wall Drilling Co. a subsidiary of China National Petroleum Corp, the largest of China’s oil and gas companies, announced on Tuesday that it was shutting down six large projects in both Syria and Libya due to “political instability” and out of concern for protections of the “staff’s safety”. No further details of the impacted projects were announced.

August 17, 2011 – Syria News Blog: A Roundup of International Reportage

/in /by

Syria’s Protest Movement

As international rhetoric in condemnation of the violence in Syria roars, the Syrian government continues in its unflinching suppression of the country’s deepening unrest. The Turkish ultimatum issued last week – end the violence and implement reforms within two weeks or expect an intensification of Turkish interference – appears to have fallen on deaf ears. On Saturday, the Syrian military initiated a new assault on the coastal city of Lattakia, leading to more deaths, detainments and international condemnations. Tunisia has withdrawn its ambassador to Damascus, Switzerland has imposed more sanctions against Syrian officials, and Jordanian officials have urged for an end to the violence. Now deep into the summer, the deadlock between the government and the opposition continues with no signs of abatement in the near or distant future.

Ramadan Unrest
On Saturday August 13, international media reported that the Syrian army had stormed the coastal city of Lattakia following mass protests in the city the day before. Reports suggest that at least two people were killed amid the crackdown. Gunfire and explosions could reportedly be heard around the city during the morning and afternoon. 
 
The military crackdown in Qusair also continued. State media reported that funerals were held for eight security and army officers killed the day before in Damascus and Homs. The officers were said to have been killed by armed terrorists. 
 
On Sunday, the Syrian military escalated its crackdown against protestors in Lattakia. Some international sources reported that naval warships had been deployed to shell certain districts of the city. However, a number of other news agencies did not confer such information, suggesting the possibility of false reportage. The Syrian government adamantly denies that any such means were used. However, military forces and tanks were sent into the city. Reports also indicated that armed groups were indeed engaged in violent activity in some city districts.  
 
According to international media, some 23 people in residential neighborhoods were killed over the course of the day. The district of Ramleh, an opposition stronghold, reportedly bore the brunt of the security crackdown. 
 
SANA reported that two members of Syrian law enforcement were killed during the operations in Lattakia while another 41 were injured.
 
In the capital, security forces also carried out operations in the suburbs of Saqba and Hamriya, making arrests and cutting of communications. Residents reported that gunfire could be heard scattered throughout the day.
 
On Monday, troubling reports continued to emerge from Lattakia, indicating that the military siege of certain parts of the city remained well underway with tanks shelling largely Sunni districts of the city. International media reported that an estimated 5,000 Palestinian refugees had fled a UN refugee camp in the city after it came under fire by the country’s security forces. 
 
According to Christopher Gunness, a spokesman for the UN Relief and Works Agency, the refugees had left in part because some were ordered to do so by Syrian authorities and in part because of the violence. The refugees live in the Ramleh area, one of the biggest neighborhoods in Lattakia. The area has seen considerable unrest since March with many asserting that its lack of basic services is a key factor behind its residents’ participation in the unrest. (For a short backgrounder on the history of Lattakia, see here.)
 
The same reports suggest that 15 people were killed in violence across the country on Monday.
 
On Tuesday, international media reported that unrest in Lattakia had declined, as troops and security forces maintained a firm grip on the city’s flash points. At the same time, foreign media reported that Syrian security forces had put thousands of Lattakia residents in a local soccer stadium also taking aways their IDs and cellphones. Residents were told they were being sent there as their neighborhoods were about to undergo military operations. Needless to say, the move heightened international concerns, particularly as the area is now largely cut off from communications. 
 
Today, Wednesday August 17, the Syrian government announced that it had largely withdrawn its forces from Lattakia as well as Deir ez-Zor. According to foreign reportage, activists assert such claims are untrue and that security operations in both locations continue. 
 
At the same time, mass arrests were carried out in a number of locations in and around the capital Damascus, including Rukn Eddin (a predominantly Kurdish neighborhood in Damascus) and the suburb of Ein Tarma. Security crackdowns in the central city of Homs reportedly resulted in the deaths of another ten people and live ammunition was allegedly used amid crackdowns in Aleppo, Hama and Lattakia. 
 
Activists state that more than 2,400 people have been killed amid the unrest that began in Syria some 23 weeks ago.
 
Arrests
On Thursday August 11, the head of the Syrian League for the Defense of Human Rights, Abdel Karim Rihawi, was arrested in Damascus. The French foreign ministry responded immediately with a statement saying that, “The arrest of Mr. Abdel Karim Rihawi… constitutes another unacceptable decision by the authorities in Damascus and goes directly against the expectations of the international community. Mr. Abdel Karim Rihawi must be released immediately.” 
 
On Monday August 15, Amnesty International released a report indicating that three young Syrian activists and organizers in and around Damascus had been arrested and held incommunicado in unknown locations. The families of the arrested activists, Islam al-Dabbas, Majd al-Din Kholani, Hanadi Zahlout  and Shadi Abu Fakher, all have heard no word of the whereabouts of the detainees. 
 
International Politics & Diplomacy
 
United States
Urging isolation, defending Syria policy
On August 12, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton used a State Department press conference to urge other countries to end arms sales and trade with the Syrian government. Specifically, Clinton stated that “We urge those countries still buying Syrian oil and gas, those countries still sending Assad weapons, those countries whose political and economic support give him comfort in his brutality, to get on the right side of history.” In her statement, Clinton singled out China, Russia and India, urging both to reduce their ties to Damascus.
 
The following day, US President Barack Obama also reportedly spoke on the telephone with Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah and British Prime Minister David Cameron regarding the situation in Syria. The leaders issued a public statement following the conversation, again urging the Syrian government to halt its “brutal campaign of violence” against Syrian civilians. According to a White House official statement, President Obama and King Abdullah “expressed their shared, deep concerns” and PM Cameron and Obama both agreed on “the Syrian people’s legitimate demands for a transition to democracy”. 
 
On Monday August 15, White House spokesman Jay Carney said during an official press conference that the US was working with “a broad array” of countries to put pressure on President Assad to end the violent crackdown against the Syrian opposition. Carney said that President Assad must “cease the systematic violence, mass arrests, and the outright murder of his own people”.  He went on to state that “by his actions” President Assad “has demonstrated that he has lost legitimacy to lead, and the president has no doubt that Syria will be better off without him“. The people of Syria “deserve a peaceful transition to democracy; they deserve a government that doesn’t torture them, arrest them and kill them. And we are looking, together with a broad array of international partners, to increase pressure on President Assad,” Carney continued.
 
The following day, in the company of Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta at a national security forum held at the National Defense University in Southwest Washington, Clinton responded to criticisms of Washington’s limited response to the Syrian crisis, noting that in the case of Libya, the Obama Administration used “smart power” by acting as part of collective engagement with broad international support. With regard to the Syria case, Clinton stated that the US has limited ability to respond to the situation, noting that “It’s not going to be any news if the United States says, ‘Assad needs to go.’ Okay, fine, what’s next?” she asked. 
 
In a statement publicly marking a clear shift in US foreign policy under President Obama, Clinton said, “We [the Obama Administration] have a very clear view that others need to be taking the same steps to enforce a universal set of values and interests.” 
 
Canada & Switzerland
Expanding sanctions
On Saturday August 13, Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird announced that Canada is expanding its sanctions against Syria by prohibiting further members of the Syrian government from traveling to Canada and freezing more financial assets linked to the Syrian government. In a statement regarding the Canadian government’s decision, Baird stated that “There’s been significant movement in the Arab world in condemnations from a number of not just Arab leaders but others in the Arab world so the chorus is getting louder.” 
 
Baird went on to concede that the sanctions recently imposed against the current government have yet to influence its behavior. “We’re very committed to this and we’ll continue to work with our allies and reach out to others to take more significant action,” he said. In response to inquiries regarding whether or not the Canadian ambassador to Syria would remain in Damascus, Baird said, “I think we’ll leave our ambassador in Damascus as long as we think there’s a value to doing that.” 
 
On August 17, Switzerland announced that it was also adding another 12 names to its Syrian sanctions list. The announcement came from the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (Seco). Four companies accused of bankrolling the Syrian government were added to the list. Syrian Defense Minister, Ali Habib Mahmoud, is also now under Swiss sanctions. 
 
Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)
On August 13, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) offered to mediate a dialogue between the Syrian government and the opposition, calling on the “Syrian leadership to exercise utmost restraint” and to “engage in dialogue with all parties in Syria in order to agree on acceptable reform measures and to expedite their implementation.”  The OIC’s leader, Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, issued a statement indicating the OIC’s stance that dialogue is the “only secure option through which this crisis could be contained.”
 
Lebanon
Syrian Lebanese Commercial Bank denies US allegations 
In response to recent US sanctions against the Syrian Lebanese Commercial Bank (SLCB) as well as the Commercial Bank of Syria, its primary shareholder, SLCB chairman Doureid Ahmed Dergham issued a statement on Wednesday saying that the Bank had done nothing outside of the law. Dergham stated that  “SLCB is a Lebanese institution fully governed and controlled by the Central Bank of Lebanon and subject to supervision of the regulatory authorities.” Dergham denied US allegations of having operations with North Korea and Iran and went on to assert that he was confident that the bank’s clients would disregard the “unfair sanctions”.
 
Jordan
Condemnation of violence
On Monday August 15, Jordanian Prime Minister Marouf al-Bakhit had a telephone conversation with his Syrian counterpart Adel Safar, during which he reportedly told Safar to “immediately halt military operations, implement speedy reform and spare the blood of the Syrian people“. He went on to state that, “We in Jordan await tangible and urgent measures in the near future”. 
 
A few days later while at a press conference following a meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on the situation in Syria, Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh issued a joint statement with his Turkish counterpart urging Damascus to immediately proceed with the implementation of serious reforms and calling for an end to the bloodshed. 
 
Iran
Unwavering alliance with Syria in question
The alliance between Syria and Iran is the oldest and strongest of those in the region, with Iran relying on Syria’s role as the central component of the region’s ‘resistance axis’ to Israel. However, as the crisis in Syria deepens and its effects ripple out across the Middle East, many in Iran are calling into question the Iranian regime’s overall lack of strategic nuance with regard to Syria-Iran relations. Indeed, if the government of Syria collapses, and many speculate that this indeed will come to fruition, Iran has made no overtures to the Syrian opposition. It seems at present that the Iranian government believes that the current Syrian government will survive the tumult – an assumption that could prove strategically costly in the future.
 
Philippines 
Alert Level raised
On August 16, the Philippine government raised the crisis alert level for Syria to Alert Level 3 for the entire country and urged its citizens to depart from Syria immediately. The highest alert level, Alert Level 4, requires forced evacuation. The Philippine government is shouldering the cost evacuations. Some 17,000 Filipinos reside in Syria.
 
Tunisia
Ambassador recalled
On Wednesday August 17, the government of Tunisia recalled its ambassador from Syria in response to the worsening security situation. An unnamed Tunisian official said in a statement to TAP new agency that the Tunisian Ambassador to Syria, Mohamed Laouiti, was withdrawn “given the dangerous situation in Syria“.
 
United Nations
Nonessential employees withdrawn
On August 17, the United Nations announced that it had pulled all of its non-essential employees from Syria, with some 20 personnel withdrawn from the country. The move was made in response to the country’s rapidly deteriorating security environment.
 
Security
 
Iran to fund new military base
On August 12, international media reported that Iran has agreed to fund a new military base near the Lattakia airport. The multi-million dollar deal was agreed upon following a vist by a high-level Syrian delegation to Tehran. The construction of the base is expected to finish at the end of 2012 and will allow Iran to transfer military equipment and arms directly from Iran to Syria. Syrian deputy vice-president for security affairs, Muhammad Nasif Kheirbek, is said to have negotiated the deal during a meeting eight Ghasem Suleimani, commander of the Quds Force of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.
 
Turkish officials have intercepted and seized a large number of weapons shipments from Iran to Syria in recent months, likely furthering the appeal of establishing a direct transport connection between the two countries.
 
Russia to continue arms deals
On August 17, Russia announced that regardless of growing pressure from both the US and the international community, it would not forgo its arms deals with Syria. Anatoly Isaikin, Rosoboronexport director told reporters at the MAKS international airshow just outside of Moscow that, “While no sanctions are announced, while there are no orders or directions from the government, we are obliged to fulfill our contractual obligations, which we are now doing.” 
 
The unrest that has swept across the Middle East has come at a huge financial loss for Russia, as its has been forced to comply with international sanctions which in the case of Libya, for example, resulted in the loss of USD 4 billion in arms deals. Syria and Russia have been close allies for five decades and Russia remains one of Syria’s most significant weapons suppliers. 
 
Syrian tensions exacerbating sectarian tensions in Iraq
Though relations between Iraq and Syria were deeply strained for years, the recalibration of relations between Iran and Iraq following the 2003 Iraq war compelled Damascus to throw its support behind Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki. 
 
During the 2003 Iraq war, the Iraqi government accused Damascus of allowing armed militants and suicide bombers to slip from Syria into Iraq. Nevertheless at present, Maliki is quite reliant on Iranian backing, development assistance and trade, and a deepening of relations between the two has resulted in growing ties between the current Syrian government and that of Iraq – largely in the form of investments and trade deals.
 
The revolution in Syria has intensified sectarian tensions in Iraq, however, as Maliki, loyal to Tehran and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, has urged members of Syria’s opposition not to “sabotage” the Syrian government. Maliki represents the Shiite majority of the country. At the same time, key Sunni members of the Iraqi parliament have condemned the violence in Syria and thrown their support behind Syria’s revolutionaries.
 
 
Meanwhile, Maliki continues to urge Syrian protestors to stop demonstrating and use alternative and less conflictual means to express their desires – in stark contrast to the harsh stand he took against the use of violence against protestors in Bahrain (indeed, he reportedly sent supplies to Bahraini demonstrators in a show of support). 
 
The concern is that after years of deep political disorder in Iraq, the country’s political leaders have just recently begun to cooperate. Though disputes over the appropriate response to the crisis in Syria have not brought an end to such cooperation, there is much concern that the rift between the country’s Sunni and Shia leaders over the Syria issue will become increasingly schismatic. 
 
Shaker Darraji, a member of the State of Law bloc lead by Maliki, attributes the violence in Syria to protestors who he claims are members of Al Qaeda while members of Iraqiya, the Sunni-dominated bloc argue such claims are outlandish.
 
Meanwhile, a number of policymakers in the US have used Maliki’s backing of Assad as further evidence of the shortsightedness of the US’s decision to invade Iraq in 2003, noting that post-Saddam Iraq has simply realigned itself with Iran.
 
Israel plants land mines along Golan Heights
On Sunday, international media reported that the Israeli army was busy planting new land mines along the Golan Heights, allegedly in an attempt to prevent further protestors from rushing from into the area. A number of Palestinian demonstrations are planned for September and the move is allegedly part of a broader effort by Israel to prepare for expected tumult.
 
Trade & Economic Relations
 
Syrian crisis causing economic problems in Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Turkey
Bilateral trade between Syria and Turkey has fallen between 30 and 40 percent since the start of the revolution in Syria mid-March. At the same time, trade contracts that have since lapsed have yet to be renewed as all sides wait to see how the crisis unfolds. In 2010, Syrian exports to Turkey totaled some USD 1.6 billion, while Syrian imports from Turkey amounted to USD 630 million. Turkey is also one of Syria’s largest foreign investors, with investments totaling some USD 260 million. At the same time, the unrest in Syria has also come at a further cost to Turkey, as thousands of Syrian refugees have fled across the border to Turkish refugee camps. Turkish-Syrian joint infrastructure and water projects have all also been postponed.
 
Trade relations between Syria and Lebanon were valued at USD 1.3 billion in 2010 and there is also significant labor movement between the two countries. Syrian laborers are both skilled and inexpensive, thus making a significant contribution to the Lebanese economy. Now that traveling between the two countries is more cumbersome, labor costs have risen in Lebanon – a trend likely to continue in the coming months. 
 
At the same time, Lebanon’s tourism industry is deeply intertwined with that of Syria’s and indeed that of the region at large, and has steadily declined since the start of the region-wide protests. 
 
Iraq will also be affected by Syria’s tumult as some 18.8% of all of Syria’s exports end up in Iraq – totaling some USD 2.5 billion. Trade between the two countries has also reportedly declined since March. Iraqi exports to Syria, mostly in the form of energy, however, are not expected to decline significantly.
 
Finally, Jordan has a number of key bilateral agreements with Syria, including in the trading of Jordanian cement for Syrian wheat. The impact of the Syrian revolution on these agreements remains to be seen. However, the local economies of Jordan’s towns along the Syrian border have been hit hard – as most thrive on catering to the needs of those crossing between the two countries – movement that has all but stopped since March 15. 
 
Further, Jordanian traders largely rely upon the Syrian port of Lattakia to import their goods, however, security issues at the port since the start of the unrest have brought such activity to an end; importers are no longer able to insure their goods with international insurance providers. 
 
As the revolution in Syria progress and the violence worsens, the economic ripple effects of the crisis will spread wider, impacting Russia, China and Iran and even to a lesser extent, the European Union. Importantly, regional gas projects also rely upon stability in Syria to continue in their development – something that also could be compromised amid a deepening of the unrest. 
 
Further reading:
 
“The Syrian “Common”: The Uprising of the Working Society” – Jadaliyya – Yassin Al Haj Saleh evaluates the benefits of the Syrian uprising as well the looming problem of orchestrating national reconciliation. Saleh argues that the crisis has functioned as a formative experience for young Syrians, serving as a “great collective rehearsal on politics and on developing a concern for common interests,” whilst bringing together the country’s poor and middle classes. Seeing the revolt as a popular one seeking to completely reshape Syrian society, Saleh argues that the current government prized loyalty and power over all else, leading to the collapse of the “value of work.” Saleh argues that the current government used economic development policies to reinforce its own power, namely in city centers, thus leading millions of Syrians to feel that as implemented in their own country, “development and modernization” are nothing but the ideology that legitimizes the wealth” of the ruling elite. Saleh concludes with remarks on the issue of national reconciliation, noting that the process of seeking justice for the dead, tortured and missing is essential, but could come at the cost of undermining national reconciliation. According to Saleh, the “only thing that justifies sacrificing judicial justice for the sake of national interest and reconciliation is changing the regime and building a new and better Syria”.  A significant read.
 
“A Syrian Drama: A Taxonomy of a Revolution” – Syria Comment – Omar Dahi offers up one of the best assessments of the Syrian revolution to-date. Based on firsthand experiences and worth reading in its entirety
 
“Blueprint For NATO Attack On Syria Revealed” – Global Research – Andrew Rettman explores NATO’s likely military strategy were it to decide to wage attacks against Syrian targets. The end of the article offers up brief analysis of the complexity and problems associated with any such attack, likewise noting that the prospects of success for a foreign military assault on Syria are low at best. 
 
“Even Former Friends Abandon Syria’s Regime” – Bloomberg – A good recap of how regional sentiments have shifted against the current Syrian government. 
 
“Syria’s Silent Majority Finds Ways to Protest” – Financial Times – Though the majority of residents of the country’s two largest cities of Aleppo and Damascus have yet to take to the streets, more and more are finding covert but significant ways to support the opposition and express their grievances. 
 
“Syria Left Vulnerable by State Violence” – Al Jazeera – Veteran British diplomat George Galloway, known for his opposition to the 2003 invasion of Iraq, argues that the ongoing violence in Syria and deepening unrest leave the country vulnerable to outside interests and foreign invasion. 
 
“Iran Banks all on Assad’s Survival” – Asia Times – A comprehensive and well-written assessment of the alliance between Syria and Iran by Mahan Abedin. Abedin looks at the weaknesses of Iran’s foreign policy strategy and the risks it has taken by offering the current Syrian government unwavering support. 
 
“Iran is using the PKK to trap Turkey” – Today’s Zaman – An interesting assessment of how Iran might play the Kurdish issue to spark anxieties in Turkey and perhaps corresponding Turkish military operations against the PKK – which in turn would detract from its efforts to cozy up to the West. As the author sees it, Iran’s fears regarding the crisis in Syria are myriad, but two key issues are: 1) if the current Syrian government falls, the regional revolts will most definitely make their way to Tehran, and; 2) Turkey is using the situation in Syria to make inroads in its relations with the West – a troublesome move for Iran as it view Turkey as the “gateway to the rest of the world”. 
 
“Saudi Arabia Moves to Take Down Syria, Iran and Hezbollah” – The National Interest – Another article detailing the manner in which a regional player, this time Saudi Arabia, is using the crisis in Syria to advance its own strategic interests – namely, the destabilization of the Hezbollah-dominated government in Beirut, thereby undermining Iran’s influence in the region.
 
“Emboldened by Uprising, Syrian Clerics Speak Out” – Reuters – Suleiman al-Khalidi writes about the linkage between the Syrian religious establishment and the state and the Sheiks who choose to defy state-sanctioned sermons by encouraging the protestors and condemning the Syrian government’s use of violence against them. A well-written window into the complex relationship between religion and politics in Syria.
 
“Syria Threatens Dissidents Around the Globe, US Says” – The Wall Street Journal – Jay Solomon and Nour Malas cover widespread allegations that Syrian officials, in association with the country’s embassies around the world, monitor Syrians engaged in opposition activities overseas and provide information to security forces back home for the purposes of intimidating and detaining their family members. 

August 13, 2011 – Syria News Blog: A Roundup of International Reportage

/in /by

Syria’s Protest Movement

Twenty-two consecutive Friday’s into the Syrian revolt, Damascus finds itself increasingly encircled by international condemnation. Saudia Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar all withdrew their ambassadors from Damascus early last week, following a speech by Saudi King Abdullah urging an end to the violence and the implementation of real reform, and weekend statements from both the Arab League and the Gulf Cooperation Council denouncing the country-wide violence. Turkish Foreign Minister Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu met with President Bashar al-Assad on Tuesday to demand the cessation of violence within two weeks, while the US imposed further economic sanctions against the country’s financial system. At the same time, another estimated 150 civilians were killed in crackdowns across the country between August 7 and 12. 

Ramadan Unrest: August 3 – 12
On Wednesday August 3, international media reported that 30 people were killed in the ongoing siege of Hama as tanks reportedly pushed deep into the center of the city. Some 200 tanks were reportedly deployed to Deir ez-Zor, which also remains under siege. In the evening, another six people were reportedly shot in killed following tarawih (evening prayers) – including two in the Damascus neighborhood of Midan and one in the ancient city of Palmyra.
 
Activists and city residents allege that the siege of Hama has led to massacres of the city’s population, with many sources claiming that those attempting to flee the city were shot at, as were any individuals found out on the streets. It is impossible to confirm the events there, however, all foreign reportage suggests a grave situation.
 
On Friday August 5, regardless of massive military incursions in numerous cities around the country, thousands of protestors again rallied, terming the day “God is With Us”. Some 24 people were reportedly killed in violent crackdowns against demonstrators – 13 of whom were killed in Damascus and the capital’s suburbs. Though some anticipated the numbers of protestors on the streets to dwindle after a week of severe military campaigns, thousands nevertheless came out in a show of support for those in the country’s most besieged cities. 
 
In the Damascus neighborhood of Midan, protesters reportedly threw rocks at members of security forces who used tear gas to attempt to disperse the crowds. According to international reportage, security forces were eventual scared off. Small protests were held in a number of central Damascus neighborhoods and some, sympathetic to the protest movement, have taken to wearing white shirts. Some media reported that large groups of people protesting in the city center wearing white shirts were arrested. 
 
Rallies were reportedly held in Aleppo and Qamishli, Daraa, Idlib, Irbin, Lattakia, and Homs, as well as Deir ez-Zor. Some media report that residents of Hama even attempted to take to the streets again, though the prevalence of security forces and ongoing shelling of the city, prevented large crowds from amassing. 
 
Protestors in Jableh, a town not from the coastal city of Lattakia, who were fearful of being identified by mukhabarat reportedly took to the streets with their faces painted as Syrian flags. 
 
 
On Friday night, SANA sent out mass text messages across the country, urging citizens to watch local broadcasts of videos that reportedly captured terrorist activities, including the dismemberment of a man, in Deir ez-Zor.
 
The following day, activists reported to international media that further tanks had been deployed to Deir ez-Zor and Homs. Security forces also reportedly arrested prominent opposition member, Walid al-Bunni, as well as two of his sons.
 
On Sunday August 7, in defiance of growing international condemnation of the government’s use of violence against civilian populations and just one week after waging a brutal attack against the city of Hama, the government reportedly initiated a military incursion in the eastern city of Deir ez-Zor in the early hours of the morning. Hundreds of tanks had reportedly taken up post in and around the city. According to Abdul-Karim al-Rihawi, the head of the Syrian League for Human Rights, heavy gunfire and shelling was reported throughout the day, resulting in the deaths of some 42 city residents and the injuring of hundreds of others.
 
The Syrian government adamantly denies all reports of tanks and associated shelling in Deir ez-Zor.
 
Though protesters in Deir ez-Zor had reached numbers in the hundreds of thousand in recent weeks, the government had yet to engage in a full-scale crackdown against the demonstrators. Many speculate that this is because the area is known for its deep-rooted tribal connections, which would make the use of extreme violence against residents of Deir ez-Zor particularly risky. It is well known that the tribes in Deir ez-Zor are armed and ready to defend themselves. The tensions in Deir ez-Zor reached a new peak in July, when security forces arrested a key figure in the town – Sheik Nawaf al-Bashir.
 
Military forces also moved into the town of Houleh in the province of Homs on Sunday, leading to the deaths of 10 more civilians. 
 
 
Local media reported that Syrian security forces had succeeded in taking down a number of road blocks in Hama on Sunday. According to state sources, security forces also found the bodies of 13 policemen in and along the Oronotes River. The bodies were reportedly mutilated. The road blocks and killings were all attributed to armed groups and terrorists who, according to official media, also prevented the injured from seeking treatment in hospitals. 
 
On Wednesday August 10, the Syrian army expanded its operations to two new towns, Taftanaz and Sermin, near to the country’s border with Turkey. According to international media, 12 tanks were deployed to the towns. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that a woman was killed during the offensive while another 13 were injured. 
 
At the same time, 16 people were reportedly killed by security forces in Homs and military forces officially seized control of Deir ez-Zor after several days of a reportedly full-fledged military incursion. Mass arrests were also carried out in Albu Kamal on Wednesday.
 
Friday August 12
Yesterday, Friday August 12, international media reported that while thousands again took to the streets across the country for the 22nd consecutive Friday, the government’s violent country-wide suppression of the unrest succeeded, at least temporarily, in reducing the numbers of those who dared to demonstrate. 
 
At the same time, large numbers of protestors reportedly took to the streets of Aleppo – with violence and gunfire by security forces subsequently reported. Protests were also reported in Homs, the outskirts of Hama, and Deir ez-Zor – regardless of ongoing military campaigns in these areas.
 
The Damascus suburb of Harasta – the scene of near daily protests and violence – also allegedly staged mass demonstrations, as did Idlib and the coastal city of Lattakia. According to foreign reportage, the suburbs of Damascus drew the largest numbers of protestors. The appearance of mass unrest in both Damascus and Aleppo suggests that the relative quietude of both cities (see below for more information) is perhaps coming to end.
 
Protest were also reported in Qamishli and Jibleh. According to Syrian activists, the government is using a new tactic to manage the unrest, allegedly moving in on crowds before they exit from mosques.
 
Fatalities were reported in Homs, Hama, Aleppo, Damascus and Idlib, with the death toll from the day between 15 and 17 people – seven of whom were killed in the country’s capital.
 
 
Damascus & Aleppo 
Though the revolution has spread to nearly all corners of the country, Damascus and Aleppo, Syria’s two largest cities, both remain relatively calm by comparison – though the events in both cities yesterday suggest that might be changing. While mass protests are now regularly seen in the capital’s suburbs, only small groups have rallied in central Damascus. Aleppo has also remained predominantly quiet, with sporadic exceptions. There is much speculation as to the cause of this silence and as the revolution progresses and the unrest deepens, many outside the country’s two key cities are angered by the cities’ inaction, seeing Damascus and Aleppo as escaping comparatively unscathed by the violence and indeed disinterested in the plight of the rest of the country.
 
Most argue that in the case of Damascus, the city’s upscale residents have reaped significant economic gains from the country’s government and are not keen to see the current system collapse for fear of considerable economic losses. Aleppo too has prospered in recent years by comparison to the rest to the country, with a growing textile industry, increased cross-border trade with Turkey, more pharmaceutical companies and factories. Both Aleppo and Damascus are also home to the largest numbers of Syria’s Christians – leading many to believe that the protection they have had under President Assad and his father before him, has inspired their silence as well. 
 
There are likely other more subtle issues at play too, for many speculate that the governament recognizes that it cannot lose either city to the otherwise rampant protest movement. Illegal construction is booming, street vendors have free reign, traffic laws are not enforced, bribery in government offices has declined, electricity theft is overlooked and sugar prices in Aleppo are reportedly lower than anywhere else in the country. All these shifts and concessions are coupled with the pervasive and worsening presence of security forces across both cities, thus rendering mass protests remarkably dangerous. While the depth of the loyalties of both cities’ residents is debatable, it is clear that the current revolution will not succeed in the absence of sustained mass protests in both. 
 
Government decrees, efforts to mitigate tensions
On Thursday August 4, President Bashar al-Assad issued Legislative Decree No. 101 thus enacting the 2011 General Elections Law. The law specifies that a higher judicial committee and a number of judicial sub-committees will supervise the elections process. According to state sources, elections are to be held “with public, secret, direct and equal voting where each Syrian voter, who completed eighteen years old, has one vote.” The same sources state that policemen and army members are in service are not allowed to participate in elections. For more details, see here. 
 
Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem announced on Saturday August 6 that “the Syrian leadership is committed to push ahead with reforms and to put them in place” and that “general elections will be held by the end of this year“. The elections, it should be noted, are parliamentary. 
 
Moallem also stated that, ”The Syrian leadership still stresses that national dialogue is the way to solve the current crisis, and in the absence of such dialogue due to the opposition’s negative stances, we have no other choice but to go down the path of reforms without leaving it hostage to any hindering factor.”
 
On August 8, President Assad announced that he was replacing Gen. Ali Habib Mahmoud with Gen. Dawood Rajiha as Minister of Defense. According to SANA, Gen Habib had “been ill for some time, and his health condition deteriorated recently”.
 
Interestingly the same day, the Ministry of Defense website was hacked by the hacker group Anonymous, leaving messages in Arabic and English expressing admiration for Syrian protestors and urging the Syrian military to protect Syrians against the current government.
 
Alleged crimes against humanity
International media report that “at least one Western government” is moving forward with efforts to gather evidence in support of bringing President Assad to the International Criminal Court for the Syrian government’s crackdown against Syrian civilians. According to unnamed diplomats, fact-finding missions have been working for a number of months to gather related testimony from Syrian refugees in Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan. At the same time, international legal experts in Turkey have also been training Syrian activists on how to document crimes against humanity. 
 
International Politics & Diplomacy
 
United States  
While the Obama Administration is under pressure from certain elements of its domestic constituency to call for President Assad to step down – and there is indeed much speculation that President Obama is on the brink of doing so – many Middle East and foreign policy experts are advising against such a move, noting that the Syrian opposition is not yet organized enough to provide a viable alternative to the current government.
 
Instead, some among them are advocating for treating President Assad as an international pariah – further isolating the Syrian government politically and economically whilst forming an ‘contact group’ supported by regional players to help fortify the Syrian opposition, enabling it to develop a “future transitional authority” – a risky venture. 
 
Others are pushing for further creative diplomacy, identifying tactics such as sending the US Ambassador to additional flash points to obtain information on the situation whilst showing support for the Syrian opposition. The extent to which this is possible, however, remains unclear; US Ambassador Ford now operates under travel restrictions imposed by the Syrian government following his trip to Hama in early July.
 
On Wednesday August 3, international media reported that tens of diplomatic personnel working in the US embassy in Damascus had been sent home or reposted in other countries due to worsening security concerns. Ambassador Ford and a number of essential staff reportedly remain in Damascus.
 
Hillary Clinton issued a public statement on Thursday August 4, stating that “We think, to date, the [Syrian] government is responsible for the deaths of more than 2,000 people of all ages. Assad has lost his legitimacy to govern the Syrian people.” She went on to state that, the US would “continue to support the Syrians themselves in their efforts to begin a peaceful and orderly transition to democracy”.
 
US President Barack Obama reportedly had separate phone calls with France’s Nicolas Sarkozy and Germany’s Angela Merkel on August 5 to discuss options for increasing international pressure on Damascus. According to a White House statement issued the same day, the leaders “condemned the Assad regime’s continued use of indiscriminate violence against the Syrian people.” The three also “welcomed the August 3 presidential statement by the UN Security Council condemning Syria’s actions, but also agreed to consider additional steps to pressure the Assad regime and support the Syrian people.”
 
 
On Thursday, the US Treasury Department broadened its sanctions against Syria, this time targeting the country’s financial infrastructure through the Commercial Bank of Syria, its Lebanon-based subsidiary and the Syrian Lebanese Commercial Bank. New sanctions were also imposed against the mobile phone network Syriatel. The move freezes all US-based assets the firms posses and prohibits Americans from conducting business with them. For further details, see here. 
 
Though the US is stepping up efforts to expand sanctions and its pronouncements against Damascus continue to intensify, the reality is that no such moves – or any others by members of the international community – appear to hold sway with the Syrian government. This has now lead some, including Robert Fisk, to call for the use of force against Syrian targets. 
 
Canada 
On August 4, Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird met with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Washington to discuss the situation in Syria as well as the NATO campaign in Libya and the Middle East peace process. In a telephone interview with The Canadian Press the following day, Baird said of the Syria case, “Obviously, we had significant international support for the actions with respect to Libya, something that we don’t have with respect to Syria. We’ve got to work with our allies to do more.”
 
Germany
German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle issued a number of deeply critical statements on August 5, stating that “In order to increase the political pressure on Damascus and to give a signal to Syrian society, I would welcome the withdrawal of European politicians. I do not believe that there can be a political future for Assad that would be supported by the Syrian people.” Westerwelle also stated that “I do not believe that there can be a political future for Assad that would be supported by the Syrian people.”   
 
Gulf Cooperation Council
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) came forward with a statement on Saturday August 5, saying that “As the council members express sorrow for the continuous bloodshed, they stress that they are keen on preserving the security, stability, and unity of Syria.” The statement called for an “immediate end to violence…and bloodshed” and urged the Syrian government to “resort to wisdom and introducing serious and necessary reforms that would protect the rights and dignity of the Syrian people, and meet their aspirations.” The six members of the GCC are Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.
 
 
According to the official, bringing an end to the violence “requires that the Arabs in the GCC call for stopping sabotage acts and condemning armed violence of groups which don’t have good intentions for Syria, in addition to giving the space and time needed to translate reforms into reality.” The Syrian government had hoped the GCC “would reconsider their stances taking into account the Syrian leadership’s efforts to overcome the current crisis, achieve stability and security and meet the needs of the Syrian people,” the official said.
 
Arab League
 
Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain
Kuwait’s foreign ministry made an official statement on August 5, expressing “its extreme pain for the continued bloodshed among the brotherly Syrian people.” The statement continued,“Kuwait calls for dialogue and a political solution to allow implementing true reforms that meet the legitimate demands of the Syrian people away from the security actions.”
 
On Sunday August 7, Saudi King Abdullah issued a public statement on the crisis in Syria, stating that “The kingdom of Saudi Arabia… demands an end to the killing machine and bloodshed and calls for acts of wisdom before it is too late.” King Abdullah continued, “Syria should think wisely before it is too late and issue and enact reforms that are not merely promises but actual reforms.” He went on to present the two options he sees for Syria: “Either it chooses wisdom willingly, or drifts into the depths of chaos and loss.” The speech was coupled with an announcement that Saudi Arabia would withdraw its ambassador from Damascus. 
 
The King’s statement is the strongest and clearest to come from leadership in the Arab world and for that reason, many argue that it should be welcomed. On the other hand, however, most regional experts and commentators were quick to point out the hypocrisy of it all, noting that democracy, the freedom to protest and the implementation of real systemic reforms, are entirely absent from Saudi Arabia. 
 
To that end, Brian Whitaker of The Guardian, termed King Abdullah’s move part of a broader “monarchical insurance scheme” whereby Saudi Arabia is seeking to tighten alliances with other kingdoms in the region (including those of Jordan and Morocco, which were just recently invited to join the Gulf Cooperation Council) whilst working to undermine the revolution in Yemen and in the case of Syria – fortifying the country’s Sunni opposition so as to counter the regional weight of Iran.
 
Less than a day after King Abdullah issued his statement, the governments of Kuwait and Bahrain both recalled their ambassadors from Damascus. Sheikh Khaled al-Khalifa explained via Twitter, that Bahrain “decided to summon our ambassador to Syria for consultation and we stress the importance of acting wisely“. 
 
Turkey
During an iftar (the evening meal during which Muslims break fast during Ramadan) speech in Istanbul on August 5, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced that Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu will travel to Damascus on Tuesday August 9 to deliver a number of messages to the Syrian government. 
 
Of the situation in Syria, Erdoğan said “We have been very patient until now, waiting to see whether we can fix this; whether they will listen to what we have been saying. But our patience is running out now.” The Turkish government is “not allowed to remain a bystander to what happens in Syria. We are hearing voices coming from Syria and we definitely must respond by doing whatever we are required to do,” he continued, without offering further details. 
 
In response to learning of Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu’s planned visit to Damascus on Tuesday to deliver a number of critical messages to the Syrian government, Syrian Presidential Political and Media Advisor Bouthina Shaaban said “If…Davutoglu is to deliver a firm message to Syria, he will hear a firmer reply regarding the Turkish stance which didn’t condemn the brutal killing and crimes committed by the armed terrorist groups against the civilians, military and police members till now.” 
 
“If the Turkish government does not consider the issue of Syria as foreign matter due to the historic and cultural relations, Syria has always welcomed consultation among friends, but it categorically rejected all regional or international attempts of interference in its internal affairs,” Shaaban continued.
 
On Tuesday, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu met with President Assad for six hours in Damascus, reportedly to give President Assad an ultimatum – end the violence against civilians and implement real reforms within two weeks, or expect a serious intensification of pressure and interference from Turkey.
 
According to SANA, President Assad responded to Davutoglu’s demands, by stating that Damascus “will not relent in pursuing the terrorist groups in order to protect the stability of the country and the security of the citizens. But it is also determined to continue reforms. And is open to any help offered by friendly and brotherly states.”
 
The following day, the Turkish Ambassador to Syria, Omer Onhon, visited Hama and confirmed reports by the Syrian government that the country’s military forces had withdrawn from the city. Of the visit, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said during a speech at Turkey’s Justice and Development headquarters in Ankara, “Our ambassador went to Hama and said that the tanks, security forces had started to leave Hama. This is highly important to show that our initiatives had positive results.” He continued, “We hope that within 10 -15 days this will be realized and steps will be taken toward the reform process in Syria.” 
 
Turkey’s growing hostility toward Damascus, however, has been met with concern among the ruling Justice and Development Party’s opposition, members of which note that Turkey’s recent rhetoric hints at Ankara’s possible willingness to wage war against Syria. 
 
Lebanon
Lebanon’s Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour met with President Assad in Damascus on Sunday August 7 and reiterated that Lebanon continues to reject “attempts of foreign interference in Syria’s internal affairs“. Lebanon’s stability “stems from the stability of Syria’s internal affairs,” he continued. During the meeting, SANA also reported that President Assad informed Mansour that “Syria is on the path to reform …To deal with outlaws who cut off roads, seal towns and terrorize residents is a duty of the state which must defend security and protect the lives of civilians”. 
 
Earlier on Sunday, Mansour defended Lebanon’s highly controversial disassociation with the UNSC August 3 presidential statement on Syria, stating that “Lebanon’s position at the Security Council toward events in Syria stems from its convictions of the historic and sisterly relations with Syria and shared interests between the two countries.”  He continued, “The decision was a positive one because we cannot go along with a decision that condemns Syria or one that opposes it. Since independence, we, until today, have taken a positive policy toward [sisterly states], particularly Syria.”
 
There is concern that the rift over responding to the Syria issue between the current Lebanese government and its opposition, the Future Movement or the March 14 coalition, is deepening. The latter has been outspoken in its condemnation of the Syrian government’s violent repression of the protest movement, urging the Syrian government to bring an end to its “crimes against humanity”. 
 
Hezbollah has taken considerable heat for its continued support of the Syrian government in the face of violent crackdowns against Syrian civilians. As the unrest in Syria intensifies, Syrian perceptions of Hezbollah’s legitimacy are waning, with many enraged by its blatant hypocrisy. 
 
Iraq
The Syrian border town of Albu Kamal shares strong tribal ties with the Iraqi town of Qaim and as unrest and subsequent military action have taken hold of Albu Kamal, international media report that residents of Qaim are channeling supplies to their relatives in Albu Kamal. When the Syrian military forces along the border were deployed to Albu Kamal, their Iraqi counterparts were left managing increased numbers of smugglers.
 
At the same time, there is concern that protest-related violence on the Syrian side could provoke Sunni tribes on the Iraqi side, who are known to oppose the current Syrian government. During the recent war in Iraq, insurgents regularly slipped across the border into Iraq.
 
On July 20, Syria closed the official Qaim crossing, prompting smugglers to shift their activities farther north where security forces are less abundant. The border’s permeability has sparked enough worry on the Iraqi side to prompt the Iraqi government to deploy military forces to the border to provide backup for the 7,500 Iraqi security forces that monitor some 1,114 kilometers of the country’s border with Syria. 
 
United Nations
Though the United Nations Security Council issued a presidential statement last week in response to the violent suppression of the Syrian protest movement after months of infighting over the form and substance of the text, the fallout from the Council’s weak response to the situation continues. International human rights and aid organizations, as well as a number of foreign governments and policy experts, have lambasted the move as entirely ineffectual. 
 
Meanwhile, United Nation Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Friday August 5, to urge him to “stop the use of military force against civilians immediately.”
 
The UN Human Rights Council based in Geneva issued a statement on Friday saying that “The Government of Syria cannot be allowed to violate with impunity its obligation to uphold international law nor attack the very citizens it has sworn to protect without consequences. We unequivocally call on the Government of Syria to immediately cease the violent crackdown, stop the killings and pursue dialogue through peaceful processes.” 
 
UN Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, Maina Kiai, also issued a statement asserting that, “It is of utmost importance that the [Syrian] government finally addresses the legitimate concerns of peaceful protestors, instead of silencing their voices with brute force.” 
 
 
On Wednesday August 10, the UN Security Council also received a private briefing on the situation in Syria by Oscar Fernandez-Taranco, a high-level UN political officer. In a statement after the meeting, British deputy UN Ambassador Philip Parham described the briefing as “chilling” and “depressing,” stating that “It is clear that the military offensive by the regime against its own people continues; an offensive which is brutal, an offensive which is unwarranted and an offensive which is in breech of the regime’s international legal obligations. And just to remind you of the scale of what we are talking about, some 2,000 civilians have now been killed, the vast majority of them unarmed. Some 3,000 civilians have been forcibly disappeared. Some 13,000 remain detained.” 
 
South Africa, Brazil and India
President Assad met with a delegation of envoys from South Africa, Brazil and India on August 10 to discuss the current situation in the country. During the meeting, President Assad reportedly conceded that “Syrian security forces have made some mistakes in the initial stage of the unrest, but efforts are underway to prevent their recurrence.” According to a statement issued by India’s UN mission following the meeting, President Assad “reassured the delegation of his commitment to the reform process aimed at ushering in multi-party democracy”.
 
Further Reading
 
“Fear of Arrest” – Jadaliyya – A translation by Hani Sayed of a text published on the internet by a member of a Local Coordination Committee in Damascus seeking to reduce activists’ fears of arrest by providing a detailed account of the detainee’s likely experience. By virtue of the unknown author’s remarkably forthright tone and proclivity for detail, the conviction of his and other activist’s sentiments becomes startlingly apparent.
 
“Resistance Regime?” – Qunfuz – A scathing assessment of the Syrian government’s use of its foreign policy of ‘resistance’ to Israel, to maintain dominion over its public. The author evaluates the government’s resistance record and the cost of supporting it on the basis of its foreign policy.
 
“Eyewitness Account from Hama” – Facebook – Throughout the unrest, social media has been key to connecting activists and witnesses inside Syria, to eachother as well as to the outside world. This Facebook posting is one such example, whereby an eye witness details the situation in Hama. It goes without saying, the posting in its entirety cannot be confirmed. 
 
“Syria And The Armed Gangs Controversy – Analysis” – Syria Comment – Well-known Syria analyst Joshua Landis takes up the debate over whether armed gangs are behind some of the violence in Syria. The article highlights biases on all sides and the complexity of understanding and responding to the crisis – for both domestic and international actors.
 
“A Visit to Hama, the Rebel Syrian City that Refused to Die” – Time – A report from a journalist for Time magazine, who snuck into the city of Hama on August 9 to assess the situation and interview city residents – a rare confirmed account of what has happened in the city.
 
“Where’s Syria’s Business Community?” – Middle East Institute – One of the best assessments thus far of Syrian business community and the motivations behind its relative quiet. Author Randa Slim also issues a number of policy recommendations at the end, each of which are notable for their plausibility. 
 
“The Truth About Assad’s Version of the “Truth” in Syria” – The Huffington Post – A blog post by James Miller employing video footage to highlight concerns over the gap between official statements regarding the nature of the unrest and those coming from ordinary citizens. A very interesting post as Miller dissects video footage posted by the government and opposition, identifying doctored uploads. 
 
Security
 
On Friday August 5, Turkish authorities confirmed earlier reports that they had intercepted an arms shipment from Iran to Syria. The weapons were seized from a cargo plane headed to Syria. Authorities believe the weapons were ultimately headed to Hezbollah in Lebanon.

August 4, 2011 – Syria News Blog: A Roundup of International Reportage

/in /by

Syria’s Protest Movement

Grave military campaigns in Hama, Homs, Daraa and Deir ez-Zor ushered in the first week of Ramadan. The Sunday crackdown, the worst since the start of the Syrian revolution in March, resulted in the deaths of an estimated 136 – some 100 of whom, were killed in Hama. Though the month of Ramadan is meant to be characterized by charitable acts and well wishes, fears of broad scale unrest and violence following daily prayers have only been confirmed as no day since August 1, the first day of Ramadan, has passed without considerable fatalities. As the city of Hama reportedly lay in severe duress, and after months of diplomatic wrangling, the United Nations Security Council responded to the crisis in Syria with a Presidential Statement condemning the “widespread violations of human rights and the use of force against civilians by the Syrian authorities” and calling for an “immediate end to all violence”. 
 

Protest flash points
On Thursday July 28, international media reported that a total of five civilians were shot and killed amid security sweeps in Deir ez-Zor and Madaya, a town situated in the Anti-Lebanon Mountains. Madaya has seen large protests in recent weeks.
 
Each Friday draws larger and larger crowds of anti-government protests, with numbers exceeding a million across the country last Friday, July 29 – as well as the Friday before. Reports of fatalities cary significantly. Most reportage suggest that some 23 civilians died amid Friday’s uprisings with two people shot and killed in central Damascus, seven in the city’s suburbs, six in Deir ez-Zor and Boukamal, three in Lattakia and one in both Hama and Lattakia. Other reports indicate a lower figure of 11 people killed. There is no way to confirm. 
 
The capital and surrounding areas saw significant unrest around the day, with protests in Midan, Zahera, and Haja al-Aswad where protestors were reportedly met with heavy gunfire while leaving Abraham Mosque. 
 
The town of Jabal al-Zawiya was put under curfew and no one was allowed to go to mosques and the town of Kiswe saw the deaths of several civilians and soldiers and the injuring of many other civilians during a violent security sweep in the evening. 
 
According to activists, security forces shot and killed three members of the military who had attempted to defect and wounded another 13.
 
Meanwhile, there was an explosion at an oil pipeline in Tal Kalakh, about 160 kilometers north of Damascus. State media attribute the event to a terrorist attack. The explosion occurred in the early hours of the morning and left a 15-meter crater in the earth. 
 
On Saturday afternoon, Syrian security forces conducted raids in Deir ez-Zor. International media reported that heavy gunfire could be heard throughout the afternoon. Between one and three people were reportedly shot dead in a neighboring village, according to activists. Rami Abdul-Rahmad, the head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that some 60 vehicles of security reinforcements were sent to Deir ez-Zor during the day. 
 
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights as of July 30, some 1,888 people had died since the Syrian revolt began on March 15. Included among them, were an estimated 367 members of the country’s security and military forces. 
 
Bloody Sunday, international fallout 
On Sunday July 31, the Syrian military waged a full-fledged assault against opposition strongholds in Hama, Homs, Deir ez-Zor and Daraa. The day was a horrific one as an estimated 136 civilians were killed in broad-scale attacks backed by tanks and armored vehicles. In Hama alone, some 100 people were  reportedly killed. Security raids were conducted in a number of other locations as well, including Damascus and Idleb. 
 
Tanks reportedly arrived in Hama in the early hours of the morning as electricity and water supplies were cut in a number of the city’s neighborhoods.  Armored trucks and tanks reportedly blocked the entrances to the city around the day as the assault was carried out. 
 
Hama has largely been operating outside of the control of security forces for over a month and a half. In recent weeks, the city’s Friday protestor numbers had swelled to well over half a million – with no significant reports of violence. 
 
In Deir ez-Zor, activists reported that trucks mounted with machine guns fired into crowds of protestors. A number of mosque minarets were targeted in a move many saw as attempt to stir sectarian tensions. Snipers were reportedly on rooftops scattered across the city’s points of assualt. 
 
Many reportedly died from fatal gunshot wounds to the head and hundreds of videos of the disaster and resulting fatalities were posted on the internet throughout the day. As the assault was carried out, many are said to have died, unable to reach medical care due to ongoing gunfire. 
 
SANA, state-run media, reported that “confrontations with armed groups” in Hama and Deir ez-Zor had resulted in the deaths of six law enforcement officials. According to the government, armed gangs set fire to police stations and vandalized property in the city. The same men allegedly “set up roadblocks and barricades and burned tires at the entrance of the city and in its streets” and “scores of gunmen were stationed on the rooftops of the main buildings in the streets of the city, carrying machine guns and RPGs and shooting intensively to terrorize citizens.” The went on to state that, “armed groups were wandering the streets on motorcycles, using machine guns to impose a curfew on the citizens and setting fire to a number of public properties.”
 
Of the violence in Deir ez-Zor, SANA reported that three military men were killed by gunmen during “confrontations with members of armed groups who were shooting randomly in the city’s streets and setting up roadblocks.” The report continued that, “The armed groups also attacked law-enforcement forces and emergency police station and robbed some weapons and ammunition. The law enforcement forces confronted these armed groups and dealt with them in a suitable way leading to the death of one of those armed groups leadership member. The army units are pursuing these groups to restore safety and security to the city.”
 
The military campaign, which numerous foreign officials publicly termed tantamount to an act of war against a civilian populace, was likely intended to bring an end to the country’s deepening unrest in advance of Ramadan – which begins August 1. 
 
There is no doubt, however, that this was a miscalculation; even as the assault was being carried out, Facebook and Twitter and numerous opposition sites erupted with plans to organize protests against what thousands termed the “Ramadan Massacre” on Twitter. The opposition website The Syrian Revolution 2011, called for “retaliation protests” Sunday night, stating that “Syria is bleeding“. 
 
Reports and videos emerged suggesting that a number of Syrian military members had defected around the day, reportedly shaken by the events. 
 
The international community was swift to issue statements of shocked condemnation. No other day in Syria, save for perhaps “Bloody Good Friday” in April, surpassed the level of Sunday’s violence. 
 
UK Foreign Secretary William Hague termed the events “shocking” and said there was “no justification” for the Syrian government’s attacks against its own people. 
 
Former Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri issued a statement saying the events were in “conflict with all intentions to see brotherly Syria and its proud people overcome the present ordeal…” He continued, “We in Lebanon cannot, under any circumstances, remain silent regarding the bloody developments taking place in Syria, and we call on all concerned parties to rectify their position in order to enable the Syrian people to define their choices freely and within their humanitarian rights. Silence on the international and Arab levels about what is happening in Syria, and in Hama in particular, whose people witnessed the worst massacre in the 1980s, does not establish the required solutions, but leads to the loss of more Syrian lives.”
 
The Press Attache at the US Embassy in Damascus, JJ Harder said the events were akin to “full-on warfare” and constituted a “last act of utter desperation” on the part of the Syrian government. On the issue of the armed gangs that the government continues to blame for the violence, Harder said,  “There is one big armed gang in Syria and it’s named the Syrian government. That’s the armed gang that is pillaging its own cities, that’s the armed gang that is striking terror into the hearts of a lot of these people who are out there who just want to peacefully protest.”
 
US President Barack Obama issued a statement on the weekend’s violence, asserting that he was “appalled” by the Syrian government’s crackdown against the Syrian opposition. Obama stated that “The reports out of Hama are horrifying and demonstrate the true character of the Syrian regime.” He continued, “President Assad has shown that he is completely incapable and unwilling to respond to the legitimate grievances of the Syrian people. His use of torture, corruption and terror puts him on the wrong side of history and his people. Through his own actions, Bashar al-Assad is ensuring that he and his regime will be left in the past, and that the courageous Syrian people who have demonstrated in the streets will determine its future. Syria will be a better place when a democratic transition goes forward.  In the days ahead, the United States will continue to increase our pressure on the Syrian regime, and work with others around the world to isolate the Assad government and stand with the Syrian people.”
 
Ramadan unrest 
Monday August 1 marked the start of Ramadan, and though it is a holiday characterized by well-wishing, charitable acts, and introspection, numerous parts of the country were under siege. 
 
Tanks reportedly remained in Hama everyday this week as the city was under constant shelling, with reports indicating that a massive humanitarian crisis is presently underway as thousands have lost access to electricity and water. 
 
Local media report that the military is fighting armed men who have been terrorizing Hama residents. Smoke could be seen rising above the city around the week and reports of deaths continued everyday. 
 
In response to the ongoing crisis in Hama, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said on Tuesday of President Assad, “[he] must be aware that under international humanitarian law, this is accountable. I believe that he lost all sense of humanity.”
 
There have been reports of protests following tarawih, or evening prayers, every night this week. Protests have been reported in cities and towns across the country – indeed, far more than can be listed – with violence and deaths each day – including in the heart of the capital. Some 24 people died amid unrest across the country on Monday alone – with fatalities reported in Damascus, Lattakia, Irbin, Homs, Hama and Al-Boukamal. Another 30 reportedly died in Hama – on Wednesday. Activists in the city maintain that an estimated 250 people have been killed in Hama since Sunday.
 
If the protests continue to expand and carry on throughout the week, it unclear that the Syrian army has the resources necessary to carry out such intensive campaigns. At present, there is much speculation that it is increasingly overstretched. 
 
Bodies in Orontes River 
A horrific video surfaced on the internet on August 1 – and was played in constant rotation by local TV stations – showing a group of men, who by their accents are clearly Hamawis, unloading the bodies of murdered men, presumably government supporters, from the back of a truck and tossing them over a bridge and into the bloodied Orontes River.  Warning: the video is highly graphic and contains inappropriate language – it can be viewed here. The video sparked outrage, as many used it to claim that Syrian revolutionaries are criminals as claimed by the authorities. It is impossible to ascertain the events that lead up to those captured in the video.
 
Targeted assassinations, forcible disappearances
The Syrian opposition’s Local Coordination Committees (LCCs) has put forth significant evidence indicating that members of the opposition were increasingly facing targeted assassinations – with a growing number of well-known activists being shot and killed outside of organized protests. According to the LCCs, in the month of July, three key opposition leaders, Khalid al-Afnan, Diyaa Ramiz al-Najjar and Hady al-Jundy, were all assassinated in separate attacks in Homs.
 
The human rights group Avaaz, has also come forward with evidence that some 2,918 Syrians have been “forcibly disappeared” since the start of the uprising in March. Those that have disappeared have been largely accused of being political dissidents involved in the revolution. At the same time, some 12,617 people are known to be in detention, all also also accused of anti-government activities, however, their family members were notified of their imprisonment. 
 
One activist now exiled in Turkey, spoke to Avaaz on the motivations behind his support of the opposition and his perspective of who is taking to the streets, stating that “I participated in all the protests before I left and I saw all components of Syrian society, Christians, Muslims, Kurds uniting as one to demand their rights. The government and the army is sectarian, not us. They are killing and detaining in a very cruel way. People have kneeled to Assad for 42 years. They need to understand that Syria is not a farm that belongs to Assad and his family. It is a free Arab country and the people will take their rights.”
 
International Politics & Diplomacy
 
Diplomatic divide – responding to Syrian revolution 
The complexity of the Syrian uprising and the difficulty of obtaining accurate information about the nature of the unfolding events and divergent associated strategic interests have, among much else, resulted in a diplomatic divide over whether or not to express support for Syrian revolutionaries. On the one hand, some foreign officials remain skeptical of both the motives of the Syrian opposition and the likely political outcome of the uprising – whether it be a new government or the continued rule of the current one. On the other hand, other foreign officials have expressed support for the Syrian opposition, regardless of underlying concerns about the instability and unknowns that would follow a change of leadership. 
 
United States  
Equivocation on Syria issue
Democratic and Republican members of a US House Subcommittee on Foreign Affairs held a session on Wednesday July 27 calling into question the US’s arguably equivocal stance on the Syrian uprising. Members of the bipartisan committee agreed that the US has been hedging bets on whether or not President Assad will weather the revolt and have consequently failed to adopt a clear stance in support of the Syrian opposition. 
 
Some interpret the US’s equivocation, as a central catalyst of more anti-American sentiments in Syria. As James Dorsey argues in an article for Al-Arabiya, “US Fence Straddling Fuels Anti-Americanism in Syria and Bahrain,” Syrian “protesters charge that US and Western reluctance is what keeps Mr. Assad in power because he is under no international pressure to step down.” As Dorsey sees it, the US has “reached out” to members of Syrian opposition and offered “consultation” with the country’s activists thus playing a “supportive role in the background” or as American officials term it, “leadership from behind”. 
 
Dorsey’s argument might perplex those who are familiar with the oft-repeated local sentiment, the ‘Syrian people will determine the fate of their country.’ Indeed, Dorsey’s article exemplifies a powerful component of American foreign policy thinking – namely, that the US is both capable of and indeed responsible for, helping to remedy the region’s woes. 
 
At the same time, Dorsey’s article, in conjunction with countless others discouraging the US from any form of intervention, highlights the reality that the US is faulted for its hesitation and relative quiet as much as it is faulted for its meddling. 
 
Posner & Feltman – Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia testimony on Syria 
In joint testimony, “Axis of Abuse: U.S. Human Rights Policy toward Iran and Syria: Part 1,” before the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia, Michael H. Posner, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor and Jeffrey D. Feltman, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs made a number of significant comments on the Syria issue, which can be read in their entirety here. Some key excerpts of the testimony were as follows:
 
“In…Syria, we have seen the regime play a cruel double game designed to divert attention away from people’s demands and justify the regime’s monopoly on power. Asad is exploiting fears of sectarianism and factionalism by surreptitiously fomenting violence of an intentionally sectarian nature, while at the same time cautioning Syrians not to rock his carefully guided boat. As a consequence, deadly violence has at times taken a purportedly sectarian shade. This has only left more blood on Asad’s hands.
 
“We view these incidents as further evidence that President Assad’s government continues to be the real source of instability within Syria. He has promised reforms but delivered no meaningful changes. He talks about dialogue, but continues to engage in violence that proves his rhetoric hollow. Assad has made clear that he is determined to maintain power regardless of the cost. And the human toll is mounting. …
 
“We continue to urge more nations to join our call, in bilateral and multilateral settings, to shine a spotlight on these countries’ [Iran and Syria] gross violations of human rights. 
 
“Our efforts to support the Iranian and Syrian people as they seek to exercise their rights have been consistent and sustained. …we work with civil society organizations to support their efforts to defend human rights and to advocate for change. We help them expand political space and hold their government accountable. We provide training and tools to civil society activists in Iran and Syria, and throughout the world, to enable citizens to freely and safely exercise their freedoms of expression, association, and assembly on the Internet and via other communication technologies. In cases like Iran and Syria, where governments have good reason to fear the spotlight on their activities, access to technological tools allows the people to tell their story to the world. Despite both government’s ramped up activities to try to suppress information flows, the days are gone when governments could brutalize their people without the world knowing.”
 
‘Creative’ diplomacy
While the Obama Administration’s policy toward Syria and decision to keep US Ambassador Ford in Damascus amid the crisis has been subject to heavy criticism, some endorse the Administration’s “creative diplomacy”, arguing that as the US has little pull in the Syrian government and no will or means to wage a military operation in response to the violence, it is better off to place itself on the “right side of Syria’s history” by using Ambassador Ford’s presence in Damascus to show its support for Syrian revolutionaries. The Editorial Board of Bloomberg News, publicly adopted this stance on July 27. 
 
Meeting: President Obama & Ambassador Ford 
On Monday August 1, President Obama met Ambassador Ford in Washington to “consult with” Ford, who was in DC for a number of meetings, on the Syrian uprising. The White House reported that Obama used the meeting to reiterate his “strong condemnation of the Syrian regime’s outrageous use of violence against its own people” as well as his support for “the courageous Syrian people, and their demands for universal rights and a democratic transition“. 
 
Clinton: meeting with Syrian activists
On Tuesday, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton held a meeting at the State Department with figures from the Syrian-American community to discuss the “urgent situation” in Syria. No further information was released to the press. 
 
European Union – further sanctions
On August 2, the European Union added five names to its last of Syrian officials placed under sanctions. Syrian Defense Minister Ali Habib is among those on the new list. 
 
EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton also warned whist announcing the latest sanctions that in the future, the EU might impose further sanctions “should the Syrian leadership persist in its current path”. For more information on the sanctions already imposed against Syrian officials, including US sanctions, see here. 
 
France – no military action
On Tuesday August 2 at a press briefing, Christine Fages, the deputy spokeswoman of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs said of the situation in Syria, “The situation in Libya and Syria are not similar. No option of a military nature is considered.” Fages went on to state that, “The violence this weekend marked a new and increasingly worsening unacceptable” situation for the Syrian people. 
 
Italy – ambassador recalled
On Tuesday in another significant diplomatic blow to the Syrian government, Italy recalled its Ambassador to Syria, due to the “horrible repression” of Syrian civilians. The Italian government also proposed that “all ambassadors from countries within the European Union be recalled”.  
 
The latter comment, however, is unlikely to be acted upon anytime soon. In response to Italy’s move, EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said that the EU’s ambassador to Syria, Greek-born Vassilis Bontosoglou, “will remain in Damascus to observe what’s happening on the ground”. 
 
Turkey – intensifies condemnation
On Monday, Turkey intensified its condemnation of the Syrian government’s management of the uprising, as a senior Turkish official indicated that sanctions were now “on the table”. Sunday’s attack “raised serious, very serious questions about the intentions of the Syrian regime. We are coming to a point where their words no longer mean anything. They have shown they are not interested in a peaceful resolution,” the official continued.
 
Turkish President Abdullah Gul also made a statement to Anadolu Ajansi that day, saying that “Beginning the holy month of Ramadan with bloodshed is unacceptable. It is not possible for us to remain indifferent to this violence.” 
 
Turkey is among Syria’s key trading partners. According to Turkey’s Foreign Economic Relations Board, the country’s trade with Syria tripled between 2006 and 2010 to USD 2.4 billion. Though the Syrian uprising has wreaked havoc on the Syrian economy, according to data released on August 1 from the Turkish Exporters’ Assembly, trade between the two countries continues to grow. Indeed, Turkish exports to Syria in July, increased 13% to USD 191.6 million compared to last year, and in the first six months of this year, Turkish exports exceeded USD 1 billion – a small increase from last year. 
 
There are some reports, however, that suggest that localized cross-border commerce between the two countries, has been hit hard. 
 
Turkey has thus far maintained dialogue with the Syrian government and avoided measures beyond tough words. Talk of sanctions marks a serious shift in its stance as the imposition of sanctions would undoubtedly have a profound effect on the Syrian economy. Turkey has ruled out the possibility of military intervention in Syria.
 
United Nations – presidential statement, related diplomacy
On Monday August 1, the United Nations Security Council met in New York to formally draft a statement or resolution in response to the crisis in Syria. The Syrian government’s use of extreme violence against civilian populaces over the weekend, added to a sense of urgency with regard to reaching a consensus on the issue.
 
In the lead-up to the meeting, UK Foreign Secretary William Hague said the meeting was slated to entail “difficult work” but that he wanted to “see a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution to condemn this violence [in Syria], to call for the release of political prisoners and to call for legitimate grievances to be responded to.” 
 
Hague went on to state that, “We want to see stronger international pressure all round,” and that, “There is no prospect of a legal, morally sanctioned military intervention; therefore we have to concentrate on other ways of influencing the Assad regime and trying to help the situation in Syria. It is a very frustrating situation. The levers that we have in this situation are relatively limited but we should be frank in admitting that and then working with the ones that we have.”
 
On Tuesday, international media reported that negotiations over a UN resolution on the Syria case were ongoing, with the possibility that the UNSC would issue a presidential statement in place of an official resolution; a presidential statement carries less weight than a resolution and therefore could open the way for its approval by Russia, China, South Africa, India and Brazil – all of which had blocked earlier efforts to pass a resolution.
 
Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin made a public statement with regard to the possibility of the UNSC issuing a presidential statement, noting that it would be “satisfactory” as a resolution would be “somewhat excessive” due to the fact that the Council is “still under the shadow of events in Libya” – which responded to the Libyan crisis “frivolously”. 
 
Indian Ambassador Hardeep Singh Puri likewise informed reporters that following Tuesday’s meetings, he sensed “a certain convergence of thinking” as participants felt compelled to respond in “days rather than weeks.”
 
The following day, after months of diplomatic wrangling, the UN Security Council  succeeded in delivering a resolution on the Syria case through a Presidential Statement. The text of the resolution is as follows: 
 
“The Security Council expresses its grave concern at the deteriorating situation in Syria, and expresses profound regret at the death of many hundreds of people.
 
“The Security Council condemns the widespread violations of human rights and the use of force against civilians by the Syrian authorities.
 
“The Security Council calls for an immediate end to all violence and urges all sides to act with utmost restraint, and to refrain from reprisals, including attacks against state institutions.
 
“The Security Council calls on the Syrian authorities to fully respect human rights and to comply with their obligations under applicable international law. Those responsible for the violence should be held accountable.
 
“The Security Council notes the announced commitments by the Syrian authorities to reform, and regrets the lack of progress in implementation, and calls upon the Syrian Government to implement its commitments.
 
“The Security Council reaffirms its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Syria. It stresses that the only solution to the current crisis in Syria is through an inclusive and Syrian-led political process, with the aim of effectively addressing the legitimate aspirations and concerns of the population which will allow the full exercise of fundamental freedoms for its entire population, including that of expression and peaceful assembly.
 
“The Security Council calls on the Syrian authorities to alleviate the humanitarian situation in crisis areas by ceasing the use of force against affected towns, to allow expeditious and unhindered access for international humanitarian agencies and workers, and cooperate fully with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
 
“The Security Council requests the Secretary-General to update the Security Council on the situation in Syria within 7 days.”
 
South Africa, Brazil and India – envoys to Damascus
South Africa, Brazil and India, all of which have blocked UN efforts to draft a resolution on the Syria case, announced on Friday that they will send envoys to Damascus to help bring an end to the violence. In an interview on the issue South African Ambassador to the UN Baso Sanggu said that, “The goal is to engage Syria, understand where they are, and see if we can assist them to overcome the difficulties they have.”
 
Russia – “sad fate” of Assad
On August 4, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev made a statement urging President Assad to implement reforms. As Medvedev put it, “He [Assad] needs to urgently carry out reforms, reconcile with the opposition, restore peace and set up a modern state.” Medvedev continued, “If he fails to do this, he will face a sad fate.” Medvedev’s statements are quite significant given Russia obstinate resistance of any meddling in Syrian affairs – or use of associated harsh language. 
 
Israel – “Assad must go”
During a press conference last week, Israeli President Shimon Peres said that Syria’s President “Assad must go. The sooner he will leave, the better it will be for his people.” He went on to state that “It is easy to go out and demonstrate, but when they shoot at you? It is amazing. Their [Syrian protestors] courage and firm stance are honorable.” 
 
Peres’s statement came only a few days after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu adopted a more cautious line during an interview on Al-Arabiya TV, noting that young Syrians deserved a better future and that only the Syrian people can decide what that will be. 
 
Israel has struggled to respond to the revolutions that have swept across the Arab world. Only quite recently, have Israeli officials begun to address the regional uprisings in front of Arabic language media. 
 
Al-Qaeda – support for Syrian opposition
Ayman al-Zawahiri, the new leader of Al-Qaeda, delivered a video statement on July 27 expressing support for and solidarity with the Syrian protest movement. In his video speech, Zawahiri slammed President al-Assad for being both corrupt and “America’s partner in the war on Islam”. Zawahiri also criticized President Assad for his “abandonment” of the Golan Heights. 

 
Further Reading
 
“The Syrian People Will Determine the Fate of Syria: An Interview with Burhan Ghalioun” – Jadaliyya/Qantara – An informative interview with Burhan Ghalioun, director of the Centre d’Etudes sur l’Orient Contemporain (Ceoc) in Paris, professor of political sociology at the Université de Paris III (Sorbonne Nouvelle) and member of the opposition. Ghalioun addresses the current government’s options – genuine dialogue vs. continued crackdowns against the opposition; the interests represented by the “silent segment’ of the Syrian population and what might break their silence; the issue of sectarian conflict; members of the opposition in and outside of the country and their strengths and pitfalls; the ‘three no’s’ they currently embrace (no military intervention, no sectarian conflict and no use of arms); what the opposition is seeking with regard to international players, and; the role of regional powers including Iran, Turkey Saudi Arabia and Egypt. 
 
“To Topple Assad, It Takes a Minority” – The New York Times – Bassma Kodman, the executive director of the Arab Reform Initiative, argues that the success of the Syrian revolt depends on the ability of those in the opposition to demonstrate to the country’s Alawite minority, which comprises between 10 and 12 percent of the population, that they can “safely turn against the Assad regime”. The Alawites have historically faced severe persecution, thus leaving many who would otherwise come forward in support of the revolution, fearful of being persecuted in the wake of the current government’s collapse. According to Kodman, the “onus falls on the Sunni majority to reassure Alawites and other minorities like Christians, Druse and Shiites…that they will not be subjected to acts of vengeance. These Sunni religious and political leaders can save Syria from its sectarian demons.”
 
“The “State of Emergency” is Not a Law . . . It is a Structure and a Regime” – Jadaliyya/Dar al-Hayat – Badrakhan Ali offers up analysis of the realities of the Emergency Law – its origins, broader implications for Syrian society, and the resulting “entrenched pattern of authoritarian rule in Damascus”. According to Badrakhan, the Emergency Law has shaped the very foundation of the country’s current system of governance: “In Syria …it is not possible to attribute all political crimes and breaches of rights that have occurred to the state of emergency. It is not possible, for example, to explain the absence of free elections during the past decades and at every level…the presence of more than ten security apparatuses that are not subject to accountability, criticism, and counsel…and that there are parties that “rule” Syria without a parties law…and the eighth article of the constitution, which stipulates that “the Baath Party leads the country and the society”…and the disappearance of peaceful activists for ten years or more without trial…The constitution itself is a state of emergency and was written according to the whims of the rulers, but the truth is that even this constitution itself, with all of its defects, is absent.”
 
“Syrian Uprising and President Assad Depicted in Cartoons” – Middle East Media Research Institute – A collection of cartoons depicting the Syrian revolution and President Assad – as published in Arab press. 
 
“Can Non-violent Struggle Bring Down Syria’s Assad?” – Reuters – Ausama Monajed, a key leader of Syria’s opposition abroad, is a driving force behind efforts to develop structured non-violent opposition in Syria.  This article by Hugo Dixon, explores the possibilities of such an approach one efforts to undermine the current government’s “pillars of support”. The article also puts forth strategies for those fearful of taking to the streets – including releasing “freedom balloons” at a designated time in a specific city and drafting “lists of shame” of businesses and high profile figures close to the current government who could be boycotted. 
 
“Getting Serious in Syria” – The American Interest – Setting aside the policy advise at the end, which some will find both presumptuous and worrisome, authors Michael S. Doran and Salman Shaikh put forth a notably comprehensive assessment of the events that have transpired thus far in Syria. The article covers the familial relations within the current Syrian government; the alliance between Alawi political forces – the so-called ‘deep state’ – and Sunni businessmen; dynamics and loyalties within the military; the government’s exploitation of sectarian fears; insider/outsider opposition tensions; and the provincial autonomy slowly creepy across the country as more cities and villages become the sites of nearly unquenchable mass unrest. 
 
“Why Damascus, Aleppo are Silent for Now” – Gulf News – Sami Moubayed, editor-in-chief of a local publication, Forward Magazine, argues that while Aleppo and Damascus have remained comparatively silent since the uprising began in March, their silence will be short-lived. Moubayed cites three reasons for this: 1) rampant and growing unemployment which will draw more youths out onto the streets, 2) a lack of widely accepted community leaders in both cities to help quell tensions, and 3) demographics – Damascus in particular, is full of internal migrants and according to Moubayed, they will be among the first to take to the streets en masse as they will not have the same business and political loyalties as native Damascenes. 
 
“Arab Spring: R.I.P.?” – Huffington Post – A gloomy but interesting read by Josef Olmert, evaluating the differences between the revolutions in Egypt and Syria and the reasons why the author maintains that Syria is on course for more violence along sectarian lines. 
 
“Underground In Beirut: A Syrian Activist Continues the Fight from Lebanon” – The Boston Review – An account of opposition member Rami Nakhle’s flight from Syria. A very well-written and lengthy account of the revelations that inspired Nakhle’s political beliefs – revelations that were stretched out over the last 11 years and fueled by information discovered on the internet. The article also explores the complexity of being a Syrian dissident exiled in Lebanon – still well within reach of the Syrian government and those who support it. 
 
“Syrian Uprising Expands Despite Absence Of Leaders” – National Public Radio – While the Syrian opposition is rapidly growing, it has yet to put forth leaders. According to this report by Deborah Amos, this is in part because young Syrians have “grown up under an authoritarian system” and now distrust “any kind of leadership”. While this has indeed helped the opposition in some respects, it now beginning to hinder its ability to launch a plan for the country’s future. 
 
“Young Iraqi Refugees Dream of Seattle, Wait in Limbo in Syria” – The Seattle Times – Sarah Stuteville explores the lives of two Iraqi refugees living in Damascus and the manner in which the recent unrest in Syria has impacted their lives. At present, some 151,000 Iraqi refugees are registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees office in Damascus. Many, having already fled war once in Iraq, now live in fear of the onset of conflict in Syria. 
 
Agriculture
 
Government to buy 100,000 metric tons of soft wheat
According to Bassam al-Hammed, the head of the foreign trade department of the Syrian General Establishment of Cereals Trade and Processing, the Syrian government plans to buy 100,000 metric tons of soft wheat to expand its reserves. The agency is looking for “one supplier from one origin” and will be accepting bids until August 15.
 
Energy
 
Royal Dutch Shell – operations will continue
Royal Dutch Shell Plc (RDSA), intends to maintain its production in Syria in compliance with the sanctions recently imposed against the Syrian government for its crackdown against Syrian civilians. The oil company is Europe’s largest. According to CEO Peter Voser, operations remain unaffected by the Syrian uprising. 

July 28, 2011 – Syria in the News: A Roundup of International Reportage

/in /by

Syria’s Protest Movement

Last Friday, some 1.2 million Syrians engaged in demonstrations across the country. Though the day was less violent than many that came before it, another 11 people were killed in security crackdowns against protestors in the days that followed. At the same time, the Syrian government issued new draft laws on political parties and elections – moves interpreted by some as significant efforts toward reform and by others as empty gestures. Debate over the future of the crisis continues, with key thinkers maintaining that sectarian conflict is largely off the table – if sectarian woes were going to overtake the country, they would have done so ages ago – and others declaring such an outcome nothing short of inevitable. Tomorrow will bring another day of mass after-prayers protests and Ramadan is only a handful of days away. Many believe that the nature of the unrest that will ensue in the coming month, is key to understanding the country’s future.

 
Protest flash points
On Thursday July 21, international media reported that Homs remained under heavy military siege, with Syrian troops shelling a number of the city’s neighborhoods. Activists reported to the same media sources that the injured and dead could not be reached due to the ongoing shelling. The same sources reported that mass arrests were carried out in the city that day, in advance of expected Friday protests. 
 
On Friday July 22, an estimated 1.2 million Syrians took to the streets across the country in largely peaceful protest against the current government. Hama, Homs, Idlib and Deir ez-Zor drew the largest numbers. In a show of solidarity with protestors in Homs, the day was termed “The Descendants of Khaled” –  after a 7th-century disciple of the prophet Muhammad who succeeded in unifying the Arabian Peninsula and who was later buried in Homs.
 
The night before, tanks had been deployed to Homs and the subsequent intensification of the military crackdown resulted in the deaths of five. During the day on Friday, some 5 more were shot and killed with the fatalities occurring in Mleeha, a Damascus suburb, Homs and Idlib. 
 
The northeastern Kurdish city of Qamishli saw its first violent crackdown by security forces since the unrest began. Police and security reportedly used tear gas and batons against protestors demanding an end to discrimination against the country’s sizable Kurdish population and political freedoms. Kurdish protestors also voiced solidarity with their counterparts across the country.
 
Heavy security forces were also reportedly deployed to a number of Damascus suburbs, following considerable unrest and subsequent violence on the part of security forces the Friday before. Protestors came out in the suburbs of Midan and Moudamieh – among numerous others, as well as in the coastal city of Lattakia, and the southern city of Daraa. A number of reports also suggest that protestors came out in the country’s second largest city of Aleppo – which like Damascus, has remained relatively quiet until present. 
 
 
As the unrest spreads and gains momentum, some maintain that Syrian authorities have responded by prioritizing areas that must remain under control – Homs, Aleppo and Damascus among them. Hama has been operating with a degree of independence in recent weeks, excluding a brief security crackdown just a few weeks ago, and has been notably peaceful. To that end, some 650,000 rallied there last Friday – organizing themselves by color to form the Syrian flag and chanting in unison for the fall of the government – a scene unimaginable just months ago.
 
On Sunday, international media reported that Syrian troops waged an assault on the village of Sarjeh in Idlib province. Troops backed by tanks were reportedly deployed to the area, which according to the same reports, underwent cuts to electricity and water in the hours before. 
 
Syrian activists also reported that further military forces were sent to Homs, with most deployed to the neighborhoods of Duar al-Fakhura and al-Nazihin. Meanwhile, sweeping arrests of suspected dissidents were also reported in Damascus late Saturday night and around the day Sunday – particularly in the districts of Qaboun and Rukn ad-Deen. 
 
Reports also emerged of further protests in Lattakia on Sunday. Ramel Street, a roadway in the city’s south, was allegedly under military siege around the day.
 
According to Local Coordination Committees, between July 22 and 27, some 11 more people died amid security crackdowns in numerous cities across the country, Aleppo, Deir ez-Zor, Douma and Daeel among them. Local authorities reported early in the week that terrorists were responsible for the violence which according to the same sources, resulted in the deaths of three security personnel and two civilians.
 
On Wednesday, local media reported that “law-enforcement forces…tracked down armed terrorist groups that have been terrorizing citizens in the Kanaker area in Damascus Countryside. Four members of these armed groups were killed and two were wounded during the operation, which the law-enforcement forces described as ‘qualitative and successful.'”  
 
Talhat Dalal
Last weekend a 12-year-old boy, Talhat Dalal, who was shot in the head by security forces whilst protesting in the Damascus suburb of Jobar a week earlier, died in the hospital from his wounds. Talhat is one of tens of Syrian children who have died amid the unrest since March 15. According to activists, some 85 children have been killed during recent violence across the country. 
 
Train crash, army base explosions  
On Saturday July 23, a train traveling from Aleppo to Damascus derailed just outside of Homs, killing its driver and injuring a number of others. The train was carrying an estimated 480 passengers. According to the Syrian government, “saboteurs” were responsible for ripping up a portion of its tracks, thus causing the accident. The governor of Homs, Ghassan Mustafa Abdul-Aal termed it a “terrorist and criminal” act and stated that it was a “clear message” to anyone who believes that the Syrian protest movement is peaceful. No evidence was put forward, however, to substantiate the government’s claims.
 
Meanwhile, there were reportedly two explosions at Homs army college on Saturday, followed by a spate of gunfire. Residents of the city reported that ambulances were subsequently sent to the college and smoke was seen rising from the premises. The nature and outcome of the events remains unclear. 
 
Damascus residents wary
While the suburbs of Damascus have seen a spike in unrest and subsequent security crackdowns, central Damascus remains quiet. Commerce in the city has plummeted, however, as residents shop and eat out less and less. Meanwhile, the cost of produce and basic foodstuffs has increased markedly.  Wary of pervasive security forces, many city residents have adopted more subtle means of supporting the opposition, from turning off pro-government songs on the radio, to refusing to report on the activities of dissidents to the police. 
 
Bank deposit withdrawals, currency conversions
According to a report in The Financial Times, some USD 2.6 billion was withdrawn from the country’s banking system between January and April of this year – totaling nearly 10 percent of deposits. While there was a spike in Syrian deposits into Lebanese banks in March and April, numbers have since declined, following the Syrian government’s introduction of conversion and capital control measures intended to safeguard the Syrian pound. 
 
Many are reportedly worried about the value of their savings and have been converting Syrian pounds into foreign currencies. Such conversions, however, are increasingly difficult as there are now a number of restrictions against it – though the government officially denies this. This leads many to turn to the black market, the conversion rate for which now hovers at over SYL 52 to the dollar while the official rate is at SYP 47.5 to the dollar. The government has reportedly begun to crackdown against illegal money changers.
 
Perspectives on mass arrests
Syrian security forces have been conducting mass arrests as a means of controlling the protest movement since March. While many thousands have reportedly been detained incommunicado for weeks and months, thousands of others are held for several days and released – allegedly as a means of discouraging them from returning to the streets. Reports suggest that Syrian activists are increasingly taking to the streets, now undeterred by the threat of arrest as many are willing to ‘pay their dues’ in prison for a few days to then take up the cause again upon release.
 
At the same time, many feel that the government’s claims that dissidents are radical Islamists are quickly undermined by the increasing arrests of well-known intellectuals and artists. Such events hint at an apparent decline of local fears of the government and members of the security forces. 
 
New governors – Quneitra & Deir ez-Zor
President Assad issued two legislative decrees (Numbers 286/ 287) last weekend transferring governor Hussein Arnous from his post in Deir ez-Zor to another post in Quneitra. Dr. Khalil Mashhdeh was sacked from his position as governor of Quneitra. Meanwhile, Samir Othman al-Sheikh was appointed the new governor of Deir Ezzor.
 
In a statement to SANA, governor Arnous said,”Efforts will be exerted to meet the citizens’ demands and interests in al-Quneitra Governorate… we will study all the projects and plans to carry them out according to the directives of President al-Assad aiming at completing reform program and development.”   
 
Draft political parties and elections laws
On Sunday July 24, Prime Minister Adel Safar approved a bill on a new political parties law that includes the “basic goals and principles regulating parties, the conditions and procedures for establishing and licensing them, legislations regarding parties’ resources, funding, rights and duties”. According to the bill, the requirements for establishing any political parties are:
 
1- “Commitment to the constitution, principles of democracy and the rule of law, respecting liberties, basic rights, world declarations of human rights and the agreements approved by the Syrian Arab Republic.
2- Preserving the unity of the homeland and bolstering society’s national unity.
3- Making public the principles, goals, methods and funding of a party.
4- A party cannot be based on religious, tribal, regional, denominational, or profession-related basis or on the basis of discrimination due to ethnicity, gender or race.
5- A party’s formation, selection of leadership and commencement of activities must be carried out using democratic basis.
6- A party’s methods must not include establishing public or covert military or paramilitary formations, nor must it use violence of any kind, threaten with it, or instigate it.
7- A party cannot be a branch of a non-Syrian party or political organization, not can it be affiliated to one.”
 
According to Syrian officials, the new law is set to “revitalize political activity and expand proper participation in running the state by establishing a suitable environment for new parties for the purpose of alternating the possession of power and participating in the responsibilities of government”.
 
The bill includes 40 articles. Those seeking to establish a new political party must present an application with “the signature of 50 of its members” who must be “of Syrian nationality for more than 10 years, over 25 years old, not convicted of an offense or felony, and not a member of another Syrian or foreign party”. The party must have minimum membership of 1000, and members should “belong to at least half of the Syrian governorate with each governorate represented by at least 5% of the overall number of members”. 
 
For Syria Report’s analysis of the new law, “New Party Law Unlikely to Have Much Impact on Protest Movement,” see here. The bill has been met with widespread skepticism – particularly, as Article 8 of the Constitution, which gives the ruling Baath Party its leading role in Syria’s political system, would not be repealed. This remains a key demand of the Syrian opposition. 
 
On Tuesday July 26, the Syrian Cabinet approved a draft law on general elections. According to state-run media, the law “aims at regulating parliamentary and local council elections and ensuring the safety of electoral process and the right of candidates to supervise the process”. It also forms an independent judicial committee based in Damascus and judicial subcommittees set to form in each province. The election process will be managed by a High Commission for Elections. The draft bill must first be approved by the Syrian Parliament, which is set to convene next on August 7. After that, it must then be enacted by a presidential decree. 
 
Syrian refugees in Lebanon – numbers dispute
On July 22, the United Nations Refugee Agency issued a report disputing reports by international media of the numbers of Syrian who have fled to Lebanon in recent days. According to the Agency, only 13 families are known to have fled to Lebanon in the last week. The Agency also says that a total of 2,300 Syrian refugees are currently in Lebanon – down from 5,000 in May. Unlike their counterparts in Turkey, Syrian refugees in Lebanon are not housed in official refugee camps. 
 
Palestinian refugees – weakening allegiances
Reports suggest that support for the Syrian government by Palestinian refugees in Syria, is beginning to wane. Palestinian refugees in Yarmouk, a Palestinian refugee camp in southern suburb of Damascus and the largest of such camps in Syria, are reportedly beginning to show support for the Syrian opposition movement. An estimated 150,000 such refugees reside in Yarmouk alongside thousands of Syrian nationals. According to another Palestinian refugee, “Palestinian refugees in Syria live among Syrians, not like in Lebanon. For six decades we have lived together and there are many mixed marriages and a new, mixed generation…When the protesters call on us to participate, it shows they consider us partners, not strangers. We have the same rights as Syrians, so we also have the same responsibilities.” 
 
According the the same report, many Palestinian refugees remain angered by the fatal shootings by Israeli soldiers of Palestinian protestors who were permitted by Syrian authorities to attempt to cross the country’s border with Israel in June. The border has been stable for decades. Many feel the Palestinian protestors and their subsequent deaths, were used by the Syrian government to distract from the country’s worsening internal woes. As one refugee asserted, “We will not accept to be a bargaining chip for the Syrian regime“. 
 
At the start of the Syrian uprising, the government also attributed to country’s unrest, in part, to Palestinians seeking to foment disorder. This move likewise shifted some Palestinian allegiances. 
 
Syria-Iraq border – alleged reversal of flow of weapons, fighters
The recent unrest in the Syrian border town of Al-Bukamal that resulted in the massive influx of Syrian military forces, a severe crackdown against demonstrators, and the alleged defections of some 100 members of the Syrian military, is now prompting reports of a reversal of flow of weapons and fighters. During the war in Iraq, fighters and weapons were reportedly channeled from Syria into Iraq, while Iraqi refugees sought refuge in Syria. Reports now suggest that fighters and weapons are entering Syria from Iraq, while some Syrians are seeking safety across the border. 
 
Human Rights Watch – “Syria: Mass Arrest Campaign Intensifies” 
Human Rights Watch issued a report on July 20, “Syria: Mass Arrest Campaign Intensifies,” indicated that an estimated 2,000 “anti-government protesters, medical professionals providing aid to wounded protesters, and those alleged to have provided information to international media and human rights organizations” have been arrested in Syria since the end of June. The report also details the circumstances in which a number of well-known opposition figures, including key opposition figure George Sabra, were arrested. The total number of individuals arrested across the country in connection with the Syrian uprising, now exceeds some 15,000.
 
International Politics & Diplomacy
 
United States – official behavior “barbaric” and “reprehensible”, condemnation of travel restrictions on Ambassador Ford
On Monday July 25, United States State Department Spokeswoman Victoria Nuland, issued a statement in response to violence in Syria over the weekend, saying that “The behavior of Syria’s security forces, including other such barbaric shootings, widescale arrests of young men and boys, brutal torture, and other abuses of basic human rights, is reprehensible. President Assad must understand that he is not indispensable, and we believe he is the cause of Syria’s instability, not the key to its stability. The regime should make no mistake that the world is watching, and those responsible will be held accountable for their crimes.” She went on to reiterate a recent statement by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, stating that President Assad has “lost legitimacy”.
 
Regarding the issue of Damascus’s decision to restrict the movements of Ambassador Ford to the country’s capital, Nuland stated that “Whether it is in Syria or anywhere else in the world, we reserve the right for our diplomatic personnel at all levels to travel as necessary to do their jobs, to represent US views to a broad cross-section of population and leaders, but also so that we can gather the information that we need to evaluate internal dynamics.”
 
France – “terror reigns in Homs”
On Friday July 22, the French Foreign Ministry responded to the day’s events in Syria with an official statement saying that it condemns “repression by the Syrian authorities, who continue … to arrest and kill their own population daily.” The statement went on to say that,  “terror reigns in Homs, surrounded by the Syrian army” and “the army and other security forces will have to account for their actions.”
 
Qatar – quietly funding Syrian opposition? 
In an article for The Guardian, Ian Black maintains that Qatar’s recent decision to withdraw its Ambassador from Damascus and close its embassy, is the public face of a calculated and more extensive approach to severing its connection to the Syrian government. According to Black and many others, rumors abound that Qatar, the Saudis and the UAE are providing financial support for Syrian dissidents – “paying for conferences, communications and perhaps more”.  However, no Arab leaders have come forward to publicly disavow the current Syrian government. 
 
Cyprus – Rami Makhlouf’s citizenship revoked
On July 20, the government of Cyprus announced that it was revoking the passport of Syria’s wealthiest businessman, Rami Makhlouf. The move was in response to EU sanctions imposed against Makhlouf. Makhlouf had been granted Cypriot citizenship on January 4 of this year. 
 
Philippines – Syria crisis alert level raised
Vice Consul Dennis Briones of the Philippines indicated on July 22, that violence in Daraa, Lattakia, Homs and some Damascus suburbs has led the Philippines to raise the Syrian crisis alert level to “Level 3”, meaning that the Philippine government is now covering the cost of the voluntary repatriation of citizens living in the country’s flash point areas. According to Briones, there are 2,400 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Lattakia, 110 in Daraa and 1,600 in Homs. Between 20 and 30 OFWs have been repatriating since the start of the revolt in March. The Philippine government spends some USD 2,000 on each repatriation.
 
The country’s Foreign Affairs Secretary, Albert del Rosario, also recently noted that there is a considerable difference between how international media and the Philippine Embassy in Damascus relay information about developments within Syria. The Philippine government last raised the crisis alert level for Syria in April to ‘Level 2’ – which calls for a restriction of movement within the country and avoidance of large public gatherings. 
 
Further reading:
 
“The Rise of the Damascene Stickers” – Souria Houria – A blog post by Nadia Hanna detailing the response of the Christian residents of Damascus’s Old City, to frequent Friday pro-government celebrations in front of the Old City’s gate. In a well-written and significant read, Hanna articulates the “hidden factors” connected to efforts to foment “sectarian feelings” by holding such celebrations in a Christian majority neighborhood “at the end of a day where mass human rights violations occurred all over the country”. Hanna’s post can also be read in Arabic. 
 
“The Corrections” – Jadaliyya – A provocative and strong post by Amal Hanano that takes issue with pervasive fears of imminent sectarian conflict in Syria and strongly criticizes acceptance of the status quo.  
 
“Laying Waste to Humble Homs” – The Economist – A brief article covering the alleged official use of violent gangs to heighten local fears of sectarian violence. According to the author, fears of sectarian conflict are overblown, as thus far, the protest movement has shown little evidence of taking on a religious dimension.
 
“Way Out of the Syrian Crisis” – Gulf News – Syria expert Patrick Seale, argues that the Syrian opposition “faces a stark choice: either to go all out to bring the regime down, or to cooperate with it in building a new and better Syria”. As more people died amid the tumult, the demands of Syrian opposition have hardened – shifting from calls for reform and increased freedoms to the outright fall of the current government. Many expect daily protests during the month of Ramadan – which is set to begin in only a handful of days – and as Seale and many others see it, this could mark a critically important turning point in the Syrian uprising. According to Seale, the choices facing the Syrian opposition are difficult. The “first course” of going “all out” is “hazardous: if the Baathist state is torn down, what will replace it?” While the second choice, “requires an act of faith: it means accepting that the regime truly wants to implement radical reforms by means of a national dialogue.” Yet, the government’s efforts to initiate dialogue, thus far, have “failed to convince”. Seale notes that the “regime has mishandled the protest movement” yet he also points out that the oppositions is weak as it “wants to challenge the system, but it evidently does not know how to proceed.” Of the Syrian political system, Seale argues that “everything will have to be rebuilt from the ground up”. Meanwhile, the current government will not give up without a fight. Seale suggests that the prospects for violent civil war are significant enough to warrant consideration of dialogue as “another way out of the crisis”. 
 
“Analysis: Syria Faces Slide into Sectarian Mayhem” – Reuters – A comprehensive summary of concerns about Syria’s sectarian issues and how they have, and might continue to to be, exploited by authorities. The author, Samia Nakhoul also assess concerns about the country’s prospects for civil war. 
 
“Being Bashar Assad” – The Wall Street Journal – An interesting account of the evolution of President Bashar al-Assad’s presidency. Author Neill Lochery takes up the oft repeated question of why President Assad’s recent decisions have run so counter to what Syrians and much of the world expected from him. 
 
“DIA-LOGUE” – Jadaliyya – A cartoon by “Muslim Observer” depicting the manner in which the term “dialogue” is, according to artist, understood by the Syrian government. 
 
“Syrian Soap Operas Sidelined by Protests and Censorship” – The National – and,   “Behind the Scenes” – Syria Today – Two articles detailing the impact of the unrest and increasingly polarized political views across the country, on Syria’s famous television drama industry. This year, only five of the 29 multipart series produced for screening during Ramadan have been purchased by television stations. 
 
“Plotting a Post-Assad Road Map for Syria” – The Washington Post – Conservative writer David Ignatius evaluates options for US government support of Syrian dissidents. The Washington Post Editorial Board has adopted a tough stance on Syria, maintaining that the US should pull Ambassador Ford out of Damascus, overtly call for an end to President Assad’s hold on power, and increase aid to the opposition. Ignatius’ post is inline with the Board’s view. 
 
“Should the U.S. Support Regime Change in Syria?” – The Atlantic – Some public officials in the United States are advocating that the Obama Administration adopt a position in support of regime change in Damascus. Using the case of the NATO-led assault on Libya, about which neither the US nor its allies ever put forward a “theory of victory”, author Micah Zenko maintains that, “Those now demanding that the US government clearly articulate its support for regime change in Damascus should also seek a plausible explanation for how this happens.”
 
Security
 
International Atomic Energy Agency 
Following a recent meeting with Syrian officials regarding Syria’s alleged former nuclear activities, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Yukiya Amano, told Associated Press that IAEA officials have not received any information from the Syrian government that counters the Agency’s assessment of Syria’s former nuclear activities. As Amano asserted, “We have done our jobs. If there is further cooperation it is very nice. If not, … the conclusion is there.”
 
Energy
 
Trilateral agreement on oil – Iran, Iraq and Syria
On Sunday July 24, Iran, Syria and Iraq reached an agreement on the construction of a pipeline that will transfer gas from Iran through Iraq to Syria.  Syria will then be set purchase between 20 and 25 million cubic meters of Iranian gas a day. For more information, see here.
 
Sytrol to increase exports
On July 27, Sytrol, Syria’s state-owned oil company announced plans to increase daily exports of Souedie crude in August by some 44 percent from exports in July. The export plan for August includes seven 80,000-metric-ton cargo shipments, equivalent to 125,006 barrels a day, from the port of Tartous – compared with 87,058 barrels a day in the month of July. 

July 21, 2011 – Syria in the News: A Roundup of International Reportage

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Syria’s Protest Movement

Highly conflictual reportage on the nature of the outbreak of violence in the central city of Homs over the weekend has dominated international headlines since Saturday, while opposition talks scheduled to meet simultaneously in Istanbul and Damascus on July 16 hit significant obstacles amid opposition divisions and a security crackdown against the Damascus meeting point. The Qatari government withdrew its Ambassador from Syria and closed its embassy on Monday, while Syrian Foreign Minister Wallid Moallem imposed travel restrictions against the US and French ambassadors on July 20. As the month of Ramadan quickly approaches and disturbing levels of violence in Homs carry on amid the impasse between the government and opposition, there is no sign of respite from pervasive tensions across the country.

 
Protest flash points
On Sunday, international media reported that Syrian troops stormed a number of locations along the country’s borders with Iraq and Lebanon. In Abu Kamal, a border town in the east, foreign reportage indicated that tens of soldiers defected late Saturday night amid crowds chanting, “The people and the army are one!”, thus prompting the deployment of more troops to the restive area on Sunday. Reportage on the backup troops varies – with some sources stating that an estimated 150 were sent in via helicopters, others stating that hundreds arrived in about 20 busloads, and still others suggesting some 1,000 troops were sent in with tank and helicopter backing. 
 
The defections were announced by rights activist Mustafa Osso and Local Coordination Committee representative Omar Idilbu. The absence of international media makes all accounts impossible to confirm, though a number of videos posted on YouTube reportedly corroborate their allegations.
 
International media also reported that some 30 people died in Homs between Saturday and Sunday, amid violent clashes between pro- and anti-government protestors. According to Rami Abdul Rahman of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the clashes began when the dismembered bodies of three pro-government demonstrators were returned to their families over the weekend. 
 
The western cities of Zabadani and Qatana also saw large numbers of arrests of suspected dissidents over the weekend – including of Ali al-Abdullah, a 61-year-old writer and activist. Some estimate that as many as 500 dissident were detained in western border areas in the last 24 hours. The same reports suggest that some 2,000 security and military forces were deployed to both cities. 
 
On Tuesday, foreign media reported that some 16 people were killed in Homs as Syrian security and military forces allegedly opened fire on individuals participating in a funeral for those killed amid violence in the days before. The attack occurred in Khalidiya, a district in the city’s east, which remains besieged by military forces. 
 
International media subsequently exploded with reportage categorizing the conflict in Homs as sectarian in nature. Oddly, however, the Syrian government did not highlight the alleged sectarian nature of the violence that apparently overtook the city, instead reporting, “Some terrorist groups of armed masked men on motorcycles exploited people gatherings to commit acts of terrorism and vandalism…The Interior Ministry will be firm in dealing with these armed and terrorist members and will use all means necessary to reduce their danger and preserve the safety of the homeland and the citizens according to the articles 304, 305 and 306 of the General Penalties Law.” 
 
Another SANA report featuring the pictures of injured members of the military, put forth stories “illustrating the criminality of the outlawed armed groups against citizens, properties, and army and law-enforcement members in Homs.” Given the government’s propensity to threaten sectarian conflict if the unrest continues, it is unusual that it did not report the events as such.
 
To that end, Syrian activists strongly deny that Syrian civilians are responsible for sectarian killings in Homs. Many maintain that members of the country’s security forces perpetrated the crimes in hopes of igniting already pervasive fears of the onset of sectarian conflict. 
 
Syrian opposition – National Salvation Council, divisions
On Saturday July 16 the Syrian opposition group, the National Salvation Council, was scheduled to meet simultaneously in two locations – in the Damascus suburb of Qaboun as well as in Istanbul, Turkey. The Council, organized by Meshaal Tamo and Haitham al-Maleh, was expected to draw members of the Local Coordination Committees, who are considered key players in the country’s current protest movement. The Council was forced to scale back its plans, however, as extreme violence against protestors in Qaboun the day before followed by an attack by security forces against the meeting location on Saturday, rendered the Damascus meeting impossible. Some members of the opposition reportedly met in a different location and Skyped into the Istanbul conference to make speeches. 
 
Though meeting participants reportedly hoped to announce the formation of a shadow Syrian government on Saturday, disagreements among conference participants, who numbered around 350, prevented them from making any such decisions. According to international reportage, one of the biggest obstacles to the formation of an alternate government, came from concerns among Damascus-based activists about the motivations and backgrounds of their counterparts in Istanbul.
 
The group succeed in electing 25 exiles to its official Council, however, a number of participants walked out mid-meeting, including Kurdish delegates reportedly angered by the use of the term Syrian Arab Republic, which fails to recognize Syria’s considerable Kurdish population. According to international reportage, tribal representatives also left the meeting in frustration. 
 
Many members of the opposition maintain that the collapse of the country’s economy will bring about the collapse of the government itself, as the country’s economic elites and middle classes will turn their collective backs on the government. However, so long as military elites remain loyal to the current government – and to date, there are few signs that this loyalty is faltering – the validity of such assumptions remains questionable.  
 
On Sunday, the 25 exiles elected to the National Salvation Council met in Istanbul to coordinate further plans to build a united front against the Syrian government. 
 
Syrian Electronic Army
A report by SANA issued on July 18, praises the work of the Syrian Electronic Army (SEA) for its success “in foiling the schemes of a number of western, Arab and Arabic-speaking media responding to the misleading media attack targeting Syria.” The SEA is the first public Internet Army in the world. It is used Syrian national networks to stage cyber attacks against presumed enemies. Specifically, it targets political opposition and Western media and business sites. In his June 20, 2011 address to the nation, President Assad bestowed much praise upon the group for its efforts to undermine enemies of the country. By official reports, the SEA is not affiliated with the Syrian government. 
 
The SEA primarily defaces and compromises websites and initiates denials of service on others including Orient TV, Al-Arabiya, BBC News, and Al Jazeera. Site defacements commonly include language such as, “We Are the Syrian People , We Love our President Bashar Al Assad and we are going to return our Jolan Back , our Missiles will be landing on each one of you if you ever think of attacking our beloved land SYRIA”. For a complete overview of all of the SEA’s activities researched by Information Warfare Monitor, follow this link.
 
Government releases recent detainees
On Saturday July 16, all 28 intellectuals who were arrested while participating in anti-government protests in the Damascus suburb of Midan on Wednesday – 10 women and 18 men – were released from custody.
 
Pro-government rallies
In recent weeks, government supporters across the country have taken to unfurling a massive Syrian flag – stretching over 500 meters – down boulevards and highways in a show of support for the government. 
 
On Sunday evening, Umayyad Square in central Damascus was overtaken by Syrians commemorating the 11th anniversary of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s swearing in. Fireworks went off around the evening as government supporters took to the streets to celebrate.
 
Amnesty International – prisoners held incommunicado  
On Monday July 18, Amnesty International issued a report indicating that tens of men are “being held incommunicado at unknown locations” following mass arrests in the Damascus suburb of Qatana on Saturday and Sunday. According to Amnesty, the men are “at risk of torture”. The report also demanded that Syrian authorities announce the whereabouts of Ali al-Abdullah and all others detained over the weekend.  Last week, residents of Qatana held a number of anti-government protests. 
 
International Politics & Diplomacy
 
Travel Restriction – US & French ambassadors
On Wednesday, July 20, Syrian Foreign Minister Wallid Moallem announced that the US and French ambassadors to Syria, cannot leave the capital Damascus without first seeking official approval. Moallem warned that if either ambassador fails to heed the order, the government will officially impose a travel ban restricting their movement to within 25 kilometers of Damascus. Moallem made the announcement during a lecture at Damascus University, asserting that  “We did not evict the two ambassadors because we want the relations to develop in the future and in order for their governments to review their stances toward Syria. If these acts are repeated, we will impose a ban preventing diplomats from going more than 25 kilometers outside Damascus.”
 
United States – Clinton rhetoric softens
On Saturday while in Istanbul, Turkey US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made a number of statements during a joint appearance with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, that suggested a softening of US rhetoric on Syria’s current crisis. With regard to the meeting held that day in the Turkish city by members of the Syrian opposition, Clinton said: “We’re encouraged by what we see the Syrian people doing for themselves, not anything the United States or any other country is doing. It’s what the Syrians are doing, trying to form an opposition that can provide a pathway, hopefully in peaceful cooperation with the government.”
 
Of the country-wide mass protests held across Syria only the day before, Clinton said Friday saw “the largest demonstrations to date in Syria, an effort to try to convey directly to the government the pent-up desire of the Syrian people for the kind of reforms they have been promised.” 
 
Clinton was in Turkey to participate in a two-day international conference on the Libyan issue. The revolutions across the Middle East have drawn the US and Turkey closer together. Following a failed bid to join the EU a decade ago, Turkey turned its attention toward fostering constructive relations with its neighbors in the Middle East – normalizing previously tense relations with Damascus, mediating between warring factions in Iraq, and upping trade with much of the region. The United States views Turkey as a critically important strategic ally, though there are key differences between the two, and is largely counting on Turkey’s ability to help bring Damascus in from the fray. The US views the Turkish political system as the model upon which Arabic governments should restructure themselves. As Clinton put it on Saturday, “People across the Middle East, and North Africa particularly, are seeking to draw lessons from Turkey’s experience. It is vital that they learn the lessons that Turkey has learned and is putting into practice every day.”
 
European Union – calls for investigations, further sanctions
On Monday July 18 during the EU’s Foreign Affairs Council meeting, EU foreign ministers pressed for an “independent, transparent and effective investigation” in accordance with that proposed for by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. The EU also pressed for the Syrian government to allow international media to operate freely within the country and indicated that, “The EU will pursue and carry forward its current policy, including through sanctions targeted against those responsible for or associated with the violent repression.” 
 
Arab League, Syria – necessity of reform
The head of the Arab League, Nabil Elaraby, reportedly travelled to Syria last week to discuss the “necessity of reform“. Elaraby did not provide further information regarding the outcome of his visit. His time in Damascus including a meeting with President al-Assad and was part of a tour of the region. Last week, Elaraby was also widely quoted as saying that the Arab League does not accept “outside interference in the internal affairs of the Arab countries” – regardless of mounting international pressure on the Syrian government to enact meaningful reforms and bring the violence against protestors to an end. Of his meeting with President Assad, Elaraby said, “I met with President Bashar Al-Assad … I spoke to him about the necessity of reform and I received a promise from him that he will work on that.”
 
Iraq – Iraqi refugees fleeing Syria
Last week, reports emerged indicating that growing numbers of Iraqi refugees living in Syria, are returning to Iraq amid rising fears of sectarian violence in Syria. According to Hayat Saad, a legal officer in an Iraqi refugee center in Baghdad, since May 1, an average of 20 families a day have returned to Iraq from Syria. The total number of returnees thus far, is estimated to be 7,000. 
 
Iran – economic bailout
According to international media, Iran is considering providing Syria with $5.8 billion in much-needed financial assistance, including a three month loan of $1.5 billion, set to be immediately available. According to the same reportage, Iran is also poised to provide Syria with 290,000 barrels of oil a day in the coming month. Damascus and Tehran are long-standing allies. For more analysis of the move, see here. The Syrian government adamantly denies such reports. 
 
Qatar – embassy closure
On Monday July 18, Qatar officially closed its embassy in Damascus and withdrew its ambassador, following two attacks on the embassy by men loyal to President Assad. Qatar and Syria formerly had strong diplomatic relations. However, relations deteriorated markedly in March following the onset of the violent crackdown against members of the Syrian opposition.
 
Lebanon – Syrian refugees
On July 19, international media reports indicated that Syrians were again fleeing violence in border towns under military siege, by taking refugee in the neighboring Lebanese town of Wadi Khaled. That day, some 300 reportedly crossed the border, after violence in the Syrian towns of Bouait and Heet flared. 
 
Further Reading
 
“Syrian Security Forces Accused of Killing 16 in Homs” – Los Angeles Times – Though cited above, this is an important read for those following the crisis in Syria. This report puts forth evidence that undermines widespread reportage of civilian-instigated sectarian conflict in Homs. No reportage on the Syrian revolution can ever be confirmed. This highlights the discrepancies. 
 
“The Torture of My Father by the Syrian Regime” – Maysaloon Blog – Another well-written and this time, notably personal, post by a well-respected Syrian expat blogger.
 
“Justice Isn’t Going to Fix Syria” – The Star – A provocative editorial by Josh Scheinert critiquing the idea of sending President Bashar a-Assad and other key Syrian officials to the International Criminal Court, asserting that the move is “an empty gesture”. Scheinert argues that bringing the Syrian case to the ICC would undermine the Court’s credibility and hinder a future peace process in Syria – should the country fall farther into disarray; a warrant for the arrest of the Syrian President would likely never be acted on. Meanwhile, the ICC would have taken on a massive and resource-consuming case with dismal prospects for a constructive outcome. A worthwhile read as the international community debates how to approach the Syrian crisis. 
 
“Brotherhood Seeks New Lease of Life in Syria” – The Financial Times – A well-written clip covering perceptions of the Muslim Brotherhood in Syria, the group’s tumultuous history here, its prospects for acquiring further power in a post-Assad state, and the debate over growing Islamist trends among Syria’s youths.
 
“Correspondent’s Diary: Hoping for Peace, Bracing for Violence” – The Economist – A short, but interesting read. The reporter met with a number of activists in Hama and puts forth their perspectives on the revolution.  
 
“Over the Wall: A Tale of Two Embassies” – The Weekly Standard – David Schenker, director of the Program on Arab Politics at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, offers up an interesting interpretation of the utility of US Ambassador Ford’s controversial trip to Hama early in July – and the subsequent attack on the US Embassy in Damascus. Schenker notes that this is not the first time such an attack against the Embassy has been employed by Syrian officials to make a firm statement about US policy and actions with regard to, and in this case, inside of Syria. 
 
“Why the US is No Longer an Effective Scarecrow in Syria” – Al-Arabiya – Abdul Rahman al-Rashed argues that while in past years, propaganda portraying forces of dissent as foreign conspirators worked well, at present, the tactic has lost its sway. According to Rashed, in the past Syrians would have been staunchly opposed to any sort of international intervention in their country’s domestic affairs, however, this is no longer the case. No doubt, many millions would take issue with this charge. However, Rashed does raise some interesting points with regard to shifting perceptions of government scare tactics and propaganda: “In the past it was enough to quote a US official statement in order to mobilize public opinion in the interests of the regime. Indeed some regimes have been able to live on a diet of inflammatory statements against Israel and claims of defending the homeland against western conspiracy. Since the beginning of the Arab Spring, the people here are no longer interested in such rhetoric, this has become a broken record.” He continues, “Why threats of Israel and the West are not effective any more? People, here, are fed up with lack of progress in their own communities. In Syria, for example the majority have suffered a long history of suppression, and they have risen up in a revolution against injustice, not in favor of any political trend or foreign country, such as the US or France. This revolution represents the majority of the Syrian people…”
 
“Aimless Syria Policy, Aimless President” – The Journal of the American Enterprise Institute – A short and telling editorial by Danielle Pletka, a well-known conservative analyst. Pletka takes aim at the Obama Administration’s failure to advance a coherent Syria policy and at the same time offers up a view increasingly held by Republicans and Democrats alike.
 
“Syria’s Struggle” – The New York Times – The NYT Editorial Board published its take on the Syrian revolution on July 18, stating that “We are in awe at the courage of the Syrian people and disgusted by the brutality of President Bashar al-Assad and his henchmen. Mr. Assad has lost all legitimacy.” The Board focused on the issue of how the international community could best support Syrian dissidents, noting that, “A foreign military intervention is out of the question. It is a far more complex case than Libya, and there is no international support for it.” The Board went on to highlight the inconsistency of the US’s response to the situation, called on Turkey to join the west in imposing sanctions against the Syrian government, and urged the US and Europe to stop sending mixed signals to the Syrian government.  
 
“US Falls Short of Moral High Ground on Syria” – The New York Times – Another article highlighting the trouble with the US’s Syria policy, this time highlighting the US’s confusion regarding how best to deal with the Russia/China veto on the UN Security Council.
 
“Ads Push For Middle Ground Amid Syrian Conflict” – National Public Radio – A good clip from NPR on an ad campaign in Damascus funded by local media professionals, seeking to mitigate rampant tensions. One of the ad images is of a large, raised hand with a caption, “I am for Syria.” At the top, it states “The goal of the initiative is to raise awareness and to accept different opinions.” Other captions read: “Arrests or bullets: I do not believe it”;  “I am with the law, but where is it?”;  “My way is your way, but there’s a tank in the way”; “I am those millions: thugs, thieves, lackeys — call me whatever you want,” and; “We thank all the brave Syrians who broke the silence and expressed their views.” Worth reading. 
 
Energy 
New power facility
On Tuesday, Syria opened a $50.5 million facility constructed by Alstom SA (ALO) that will manage the national power grid. The new building will operate 50 power transfer and generation stations and is set to expand to include a further 20 in the future.
 
Security
Transfer of missiles, Syria to Hezbollah
According to a report published in Australian media, the Syrian government has allegedly accelerated efforts to supply weapons, ballistic missiles among them, to Hezbollah in Lebanon. The report published on July 16, was derived from regional intelligence sources. The report also maintains that Damascus is moving ahead with efforts to build sophisticated missiles in a mountain not far from Hama. The ballistic missiles transferred to Hezbollah, Scud D surface-to-surface, and allegedly assembled with the aid of experts from North Korea, are highly accurate and place all of Israel, Jordan, and a significant portion of Turkey within range. The report alleges that the flow of weapons from Syria into Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley, has been growing since the inception of the unrest in Syria in March. 

July 15, 2011 – Syria in the News: A Roundup of International Reportage

/in /by

Syria’s Protest Movement

The last 10 days saw international media coverage of the ongoing revolutionary tumult in Syria, largely hijacked by reportage on the increasing diplomatic tensions between Syria and the United States and France. While Syrians continue to take to the streets in massive numbers across the country, a controversial trip by US and French Ambassadors Ford and Chevallier to Hama on July 7- 8, followed by mob attacks on the US and French embassies on July 11, and harsh verbals exchanges between Damascus and Washington in the hours that ensued, took centre stage in foreign reportage. In the comparative background, the planning meetings of the government-led national dialogue started and finished with inconclusive results as the protest movement, now officially in its fifth month, carries on with another 19 protestors killed in unrest in Damascus, Idlib, and Deir ez-Zor today, July 15. 

 
Protest flash points, July 7th – 15th
On Thursday July 7, residents of both Hama and Homs staged general strikes while mass numbers of the city’s residents reportedly began fleeing the city to avoid expected violence. Most reportedly headed to Salamiyah, a city about 30 kilometers southeast. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that some 1,000 people in total fled. According to Rami Abdel Rahmad, the Observatory’s chief, two people were reportedly killed that day, after being shot in the legs by security forces and run over by a vehicle. 
 
A week ago on Friday July 8, hundreds of thousands of Syrians participated in anti-government demonstrations across the country. An estimated fifteen people were killed in the day’s protests, including six in Dumair – a town not far from Damascus, three in Maarat al-Numaan on the eastern border of Idlib province and two in the Damascus district of Midan. The day was termed the “Friday of No Dialogue” in reference to the government-promoted talks that were set to begin on July 10 to start the national dialogue. 
 
Protestors in Hama again came out in massive numbers – with a number of well-known activists estimating that a near half million joined the city’s demonstrations. Some 200 people were also arrested around the country – with some estimates suggesting more than half of them were from Homs. As the city of Hama has a deeply tumultuous history, many Syrian activists in and out of the country reportedly view the recent mass protests and their broader symbolism, with a sense of hope.
 
Ibrahim Qashqoush, one of the better known composers of the Syrian opposition movement’s protest songs, was also found dead on July 8 on the bank of the al-Assi river in Hama. His throat had reportedly been carved out. 
 
On Monday July 11, Syrian security forces reportedly ratcheted up the crackdown against those participating in the unrest in Homs. According to international media, one civilian was killed while another 20 were injured, as security forces engaged in raids allegedly backed by tanks and armor. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that armored vehicles had entered the city the night before, firing machine-guns in some of the city’s neighborhoods and arresting large numbers of suspected dissidents. 
 
The same reports indicated that a number of prominent figures were arrested around the country, including neurosurgeon Jalal al-Najjar, theatre director Osama Ghanem, journalist Omar al-Assad and veterinarian Abdelghani Khamis.
 
On Wednesday July 13, there were reports of further significant violence in the region of Jebel al-Zawiya – where the Syrian army was deployed just over two weeks ago to control anti-government unrest. Four people were reportedly killed that day, while international reports indicated that several minor oil pipelines in the town of Mayadin in the country’s northeastern province were also blown up. The same day, protestors in the Damascus neighborhood of Midan, numbering in the hundreds, were dispersed by baton-wielding security forces. Four protestors were reportedly arrested. 
 
*Today Friday July 15, Syria entered its fifth month of revolutionary tumult and hundreds of thousands of Syrians held demonstrations in cities and villages across the country. An estimated 19 people died today amid protests, some 13 of whom were killed as large numbers took to the streets in suburbs of Damascus. Other fatalities were reported in Daraa, Homs and Idlib. Thousands again came out in Hama and Deir ez-Zor in the country’s northeast where, according to international media, protestors have renamed the city’s central roundabout ‘Freedom Square’. The same reports indicate that the crowds in all three locations were the largest seen since the unrest began in March.
 
Reports suggest that protestors in Qaboun attempted to block the passage of security forces, while other sought to protect local government property from any damage so as not to provide further reason for security intervention. 
 
Residents of Hama reportedly removed some of the barricades they had previously erected to prevent security from entering the city, after securing agreement from officials that peaceful protests would be permitted. While central Damascus and Aleppo both continue to remain relatively quiet on Fridays, the country’s primary hot spots have seen increasingly large numbers of protestors take to the streets.
 
Government decrees, reforms
On Sunday July 10, President Assad also issued Decree No. 254 for 2011, which appointed Anas Abdul-Razzaq Na’em the new governor of Hama. Previously, Na’em served as the secretary of the Hama branch of the Baath Party and the head of the Hama branch of the Doctors’ Union. The move came as a disappointment to many, as Na’em is relatively unknown while the governor he replaced, Dr. Ahmad Khaled Abdul-Aziz, was quite popular with the city’s residents as a result of his alleged sympathy for the protest movement. 
 
The following day, Prime Minister Safar formed a committee tasked with studying a bill put forth by the General Women’s Union that seeks to amend Article 3 of Citizenship Law No. 267 (1969) in order to grant Syrian citizenship to the children of Syrian women who are married to non-Syrians. The committee is set to announce its results next week. 
 
During a meeting on Wednesday July 13, the Judicial Reform Committee stressed the significance of “the full independence of the judiciary authority from the legislative and executive authorities.” The committee also clarified that, “The legislative authority cannot in any way harm the immunity granted to judges, and the parliamentary control over the work of the government does not in any way extend to the judiciary work at courts because this constitutes a violation of the independence of the judiciary authority”. The executive authority, is also “not allowed to interfere in the appointment, promotion or accountability of the judges or invalidate judicial rulings”.
 
National dialogue
On July 10, the government moved forward with the first meeting of the planned national dialogue. The meetings spanned two days and served as a preliminary conference, intended to start discussions on political reforms and associated party laws, among much else. However, as key opposition members had boycotted any negotiations with the government so long as military and security forces continue use violence against civilians, the vast majority of the opposition members it invited to participate, refused to attend. As put by Ammar Qurabi, head of Syria’s National Organisation for Human Rights and a leading activist who turned down an invitation to participate in the meeting reportedly said of the dialogue, “If the government ordered the killing of people, then this is dialogue with murderers. And we will not enter into a discussion with murderers.”
 
Syrian Vice-President Farouk al-Sharaa opened the meeting with speech in which he stated he hoped it will be “a comprehensive conference that announces the transformation of Syria into a pluralistic, democratic state where its citizens are equal and participate in the formation of their homeland’s future.” Sharaa went on to state that, “this dialogue is not a favor from any one and it should not be considered a condescension on the part of the government for the people, but it is the duty of each citizen based on deep belief that the people are the source of authorities like all developed countries.”
 
For a government-organized event, some participants expressed surprisingly harsh criticisms of Syria’s political and security system, though many others expressed opinions in line with the state’s interpretation of the country’s current crisis – namely, that it has been perpetrated by foreign conspirators. A member of the country’s Parliament, Mohammad Habash, made a speech advocating for constitutional reform that would enable presidential elections, while Tayeb Tizini, a well-known member of the opposition” demanded the “dismantling of the security state”. Vice President Farouk al-Sharaa conceded that “a great deal of mistakes had been made”.  
 
According to many, the most troubling aspects of the meeting included the absence of key members of Syria’s opposition and the wide divide it revealed between those who concede that the current system must undergo some level of reform – and those who demand nothing less than ouster of the president and a complete restructuring of Syria’s system of government. 
 
Syrian opposition
By all accounts, the Syrian political landscape – and those willing to express critical views of it – is changing. Following the meeting in late June at the Semiramis Hotel in Damascus, during which some 190 intellectuals and members of the opposition expressed harsh criticisms of the Syrian government, members of the opposition created the National Board of Coordination – which put forth a plan to reform the country’s current system. 
 
Tomorrow, Saturday July 16, the National Salvation Council is scheduled to be launched in the Damascus suburb of Qaboun. The Council, organized by Meshaal Tamo and Haitham al-Maleh, is expected to draw members of the Local Coordination Committees, who are considered key players in the country’s current protest movement – though they have remained both secretive and disconnected from public meetings. Local Coordination Committees are run by Syrian youths and as put by Tammo, “Opposition meetings must include the youths who are risking their lives in the street for freedom. They are the real power behind the uprising.” As the meeting remains unauthorized, whether or not it happens serves as another test of the country’s progression toward political openness.
 
To that end, while many in and outside of Syria have pelted such meetings and efforts with allegations of ties to the government, or otherwise limited prospects for legitimately shaping the country’s future, all such moves reflect a critical change in the country’s political landscape – a political opening not seen in Syria since the 1960s. As put by rights activist Mazen Darwish, “Until now independent politics has meant secret meetings and people whispering between themselves inside their homes. We wanted to push it into the public realm. We wanted to show that politics means discussion, and different opinions, not just the state telling people what they are allowed to think and say. It sounds simple but in Syria that is an amazing idea.”
 
Some argue that the political ideas formerly construed as radical by the government and much of the Syrian populace, are now becoming concepts thrown around in everyday conversation. How this shift will likely play out in the future, remains unclear. Many believe that sustained and critical political dialogue will eventually result in broad-scale change across the current political system. As put by one activist in an interview with Phil Sands, a Damascus-based journalist for The National, “The protesters have opened the door and we all have to make sure we go through and together keep it open. In the end we all know there will have to be a political settlement in Syria, and for that we need this kind of politics to be happening.”
 
International Crisis Group
On July 6, the International Crisis Group released a report, “Popular Protest in North Africa and the Middle East (VI): The Syrian People’s Slow-motion Revolution,” that puts forth a comprehensive assessment of the progression of the Syrian protest movement, and the underlying causes for the unrest. The report asserts that “Demonstrations have been growing in impressive fashion…regime support has been declining as the security services’ brutality has intensified, but many constituents still prefer the status quo to an uncertain and potentially chaotic future.” The report continues, “What is clear, however, is the degree to which a wide array of social groups, many once pillars of the regime, have turned against it and how relations between state and society have been forever altered.”
 
According to the report, the Syrian government initially misdiagnosed the nature and causes of the protests, responding as if “each and every disturbance was an isolated case requiring a pin-point reaction rather than part of a national crisis that would only deepen short of radical change.” 
 
Also detailed are the country’s long-standing economic woes, including the stagnation of salaries, harm to local manufactures of inexpensive imports, the short-term costs of economic liberalization amid widespread drought in the country’s farmlands, and sprawling city suburbs populated with growing numbers of rural migrants and members of the middle class unable to meet increasing expenses with unchanged salaries. 
 
While many believe that members of the country’s elite military forces continue to remain loyal to the current government, the report suggestions that such conceptions might be incorrect. The report is the first of two – the latter of which, will be released in the coming weeks and is set to cover the Syrian government’s response to the crisis. 
 
International Committee of the Red Cross
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) announced on July 8 that it has expanded its humanitarian aid operations in Syria, in accordance with the negotiations it held with the Syrian government two weeks prior which resulted in its being granted unlimited access to the country’s flash points. 
 
Human Rights Watch
On Saturday July 9, Human Rights Watch issued a report alleging that the testimony of defectors from the Syrian army indicates they were given orders to shoot to kill unarmed protestors. With the release of the report, Human Rights Watch issued the following statement: “The testimony of these defectors provides further evidence that the killing of protesters was no accident but a result of a deliberate policy by senior figures in Syria to use deadly force to disperse protesters. Syrian soldiers and officials should know that they too have not just a right but a duty to refuse such unlawful orders, and that those who deliberately kill or injure peaceful protesters will be subject to prosecution. 
 
The individuals interviewed by the organization, were interviewed in Jordan, Turkey and Lebanon. The interviewees allegedly participated in military crackdowns in Izraa, Baniyas, Homs, Aleppo, Damascus, Jisr al-Shughour, and Daraa. 
 
As stated by Human Rights Watch, “Under international standards such as the United Nations Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials, intentional lethal use of firearms may only be made when strictly unavoidable to protect life. The UN Code of Conduct for law enforcement officials says that they shall to the best of their capability prevent and rigorously oppose any violations of the law or Code of Conduct.”
 
International Politics & Diplomacy
 
American & French ambassadors’ trip to Hama 
Background
On Thursday July 7, US Ambassador to Syria, Robert Ford and his French counterpart Eric Chevallier, each visited the central city of Hama, in anticipation of a violent crackdown against its protestors – an estimated 300,000 of whom had come out to demonstrate the week before. International sources reported that the cities residents greeted the ambassadors with olive branches and roses. The visits were allegedly intended to enable the ambassadors to make contact with Syrian dissidents as well as to extend their support for the protest movement. Both ambassadors remained in the city until the following morning, before the start of Friday’s protests. 
 
According to foreign press, residents of the city largely welcomed the trip and encouraged other ambassadors to engage in similar visits to the country’s myriad flash points, but were equally adamant in expressing disinterest in any possible foreign intervention in the current situation. As one dissident in Hama, Omar al-Habbal, reportedly asserted,  “…we do not want international intervention of any sort, not military or financial. We can do this ourselves. We just want moral support. We know that we are likely to face claims of being foreign stooges, but we’re confident that most people now know that Syrian state media is full of lies.”
 
Syrian government outraged
In response to Ford’s visit, the Syrian foreign ministry reported that, “The presence of the US ambassador in Hama without previous permission is obvious proof of the implication of the United States in the ongoing events, and of their attempts to increase [tensions], which damage Syria’s security and stability. Syria warns against such irresponsible behaviour and stresses its determination to continue to take all measures that will bring back calm and stability to the country.” The government, however, made no comment on the French Ambassador’s trip to the city.
 
On Sunday, according to state media, the Syrian Foreign and Expatriates Ministry summoned both the French and American Ambassadors to Syria to “inform them of its strong protest on their visits to Hama governorate without ministry permission” which according to the Ministry, “violated Article 41 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations” which entails noninterference in the domestic matters of the states in which such officials work. According to the Ministry, the ambassador’s visit to Hama “constitutes a flagrant interference in Syria’s internal affairs and this affirms the existence of foreign encouragement…that could undermine security and stability in the country.”
 
However, according the US State Department, Ambassador Ford was not summoned by the government, but instead was attending a prescheduled meeting with Foreign Minister Walid Moallem – during which time, Moallem reportedly also “filed an official complaint” with Ford in response to his trip to Hama. 
 
Washington’s response to tensions over Hama trip
In a press conference on Friday July 8 in Washington, US State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland responded to the Syrian government’s condemnation of Ambassador Ford’s trip to Hama by stating, “Frankly we’re a little bit dismayed” and noting that the notion that the Syrian government was unaware of plans for the trip “doesn’t make sense”. Nuland went on to state that Ford “witnessed average Syrians asking for change in their country,” and went on to add that the allegation by the Syrian government that Fords visit was a provocation was “absolute rubbish.” 
 
The same day, JJ Harder, US embassy spokesman said of Ford’s visit that he “certainly did not incite anyone to anything” and that the ambassador “met with average Syrian citizens and received a warm welcome. Some had been part of the marches in the Syrian streets over the past few months…[Ford] wanted to see with his own eyes what was happening on the ground… [because] the lack of uninhibited access for international media makes this even more important.” Harder alleged that the US embassy had informed the Syrian government of the intention of a US delegation to travel to Hama on Thursday and Friday. In addition to noting that “We wish the Syrian government would allow international media to have unfettered access so that they could report on this,” Harder also stated that Ambassador Ford saw “no evidence” of armed groups in Hama.
 
Debate over US motivations
US President Obama’s decision to install a US ambassador in Damascus last winter was poorly received by his republican opponents, who maintain that diplomatic relations with a foreign government with alleged ties to terrorist organizations, as well as a host of other politically inconvenient associations, essentially condones such practices. Since the onslaught of the crisis in Syria, members of the republican party have jumped on the opportunity to point out Obama’s perceived failings with regard to the Syria issue – noting that Ambassador Ford has largely been unable to meet with key Syrian leaders, elected to go on a controversial government-organized tour of the embattled north, and has seemingly little connection to the country’s opposition. Ambassador Ford’s decision to visit Hama in advance of Friday protests is thought by many to reflect his, and indeed Obama’s, growing political need to demonstrate the legitimacy of his posting. Unsurprisingly, his trip to Hama was widely lauded back in the United States and bolstered the case for maintaining his post in the US embassy. 
 
While he and his French counterpart were reportedly well-received in Hama – it remains to be seen if his trip benefited the Syrian opposition as much as it did his own career. To that end, many argue that the trip actually hurt the cause of Syrian opposition, by creating more ‘evidence’ for the Syrian government of foreign meddling in Syria’s domestic issues and allowing it to run wild with anti-American proclamations. Indeed, the headline news on SANA on Saturday July 9, read: “Official Source at the Foreign Ministry: Presence of the US Ambassador in Hama without Prior Permission of the Foreign Ministry is Clear Evidence of US Involvement in Syria Events.”
 
Hama trip – authorized or not?
Adding to the post-Hama trip firestorm, is the debate over whether or not Ford and Chevallier received authorization from the Syrian government in advance of their travels. While the Syrian government adamantly denounced the trip as occurring “without permission” – given the high level of security across the country, many find that allegation absurd. The ambassadors would have passed through a large number of security checkpoints and likewise would have needed to arrange a secure location to spend the night as the trip spanned 24 hours. If the Syrian government had indeed not authorized the trip, there were many opportunities for it to stop the ambassadors en route – and know in advance, of their travels.
 
Attacks on US and French Embassies 
Background
On Friday July 8 in response to Ford and Chevallier’s trip to Hama, the French consulate in Aleppo and the US embassy in Damascus, became the scenes of pro-government, anti-French/American demonstrations. The protest in front of the US embassy was permitted to carry on for a lengthy 31 hours, during which time demonstrators threw tomatoes and stones at the embassy as well as some members of its staff. 
 
On Monday July 11, both the US and French embassies were attacked by mobs of pro-government, anti-US/French demonstrators – this time resulting in considerable damage to both facilities. There were no fatalities during the attacks.
 
At the US embassy, demonstrators were able to climb the fence surrounding the embassy, scale its walls, remove the American flag and replace it with that of Syria’s. Graffiti was sprayed on the walls and windows were smashed, as were the facility’s security cameras. US Marine guards fired tear gas on the crowds as Syrian security forces watched.
 
At the French embassy, protestors attempted to break into the facility using a battering ram. The Ambassador’s car was destroyed, a number of windows were smashed, and three security guards were injured. The mobs were dispersed by warning shots fired by French security forces as Syrian security forces looked on. 
 
US responds to protests & attacks
In a move perhaps intended to up the appearance of his accessibility to Syrian opposition, US Ambassador Ford responded to the controversy over his trip to Hama and the subsequent protests in front of the US embassy, with a Facebook message posted on July 10 entitled , “A Note from Ambassador Ford.” The text of Ford’s note is below (to view it and read the comments below it – which also make for interesting reading –  see this link): 
 
“Outside the Embassy demonstrators complained about U.S. policy towards the Syrian government and my trip to Hama.
 
“As I have said before, we respect the right of all Syrians – and people in all countries – to express their opinions freely and in a climate of mutual respect. We wish the Syrian government would do the same – and stop beating and shooting peaceful demonstrators. I have not seen the police assault a “mnhebak” demonstration yet. I am glad – I want all Syrians to enjoy the right to demonstrate peacefully. On July 9 a “mnhebak” group threw rocks at our embassy, causing some damage. They resorted to violence, unlike the people in Hama, who have stayed peaceful. Go look at the Ba’ath or police headquarters in Hama – no damage that I saw.
 
“Other protesters threw eggs and tomatoes at our embassy. If they cared about their fellow Syrians the protesters would stop throwing this food at us and donate it to those Syrians who don’t have enough to eat. And how ironic that the Syrian Government lets an anti-U.S. demonstration proceed freely while their security thugs beat down olive branch-carrying peaceful protesters elsewhere.
 
“The people in Hama have been demonstrating peacefully for weeks. Yes, there is a general strike, but what caused it? The government security measures that killed protesters in Hama. In addition, the government began arresting people at night and without any kind of judicial warrant. Assad had promised in his last speech that there would be no more arrests without judicial process. Families in Hama told me of repeated cases where this was not the reality. And I saw no signs of armed gangs anywhere – not at any of the civilian street barricades we passed.
 
“Hama and the Syrian crisis is not about the U.S. at all. This is a crisis the Syrian people are in the process of solving. It is a crisis about dignity, human rights, and the rule of law. We regret the loss of life of all Syrians killed, civilians and security members both, and hope that the Syrian people will be able to find their way out of this crisis soon. Respect for basic human rights is a key element of the solution.”
 
Clinton firestorm: “President Assad is not indispensable”
Washington condemned the attacks and accused the Syrian government of responding slowly to the situation and neglecting to prevent an assault on the US embassy. The US also accused Damascus of initiating the attacks in an effort to draw international and local attention away from the country’s internal crisis. State Department spokeswoman Nuland termed the attackers “thugs” and called the events “absolutely outrageous”. 
 
In a highly controversial statement, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, responded to the attacks by noting that “President Assad is not indispensable, and we have absolutely nothing invested in him remaining in power…From our perspective, he has lost legitimacy.” 
 
Clinton’s remarks brought tensions between Washington and Damascus to a new height, as the Syrian government responded to her comments by indicating that they served as “additional evidence on the U.S. flagrant interference in the Syrian internal affairs“. The government also termed her comments as “a provocative action as to prolong internal aggravation and for purposes that don’t serve the interests of the Syrian people and their legitimate aspirations”.
 
US embassy ends visa services
In response to the July 11 attack, the US embassy in Damascus announced on Wednesday July 13 that it has canceled visa services until further notice, with the exception of those individuals who had visa interviews before July 12. 
 
Syrian ambassador to US summoned to US State Department 
The Syrian Ambassador to the US, Imad Moustapha, was also summed to meet with high officials in the US State Department on Friday July 8, following reports that staff of the Syrian embassy had been sent out to film US protests against the Syrian government, with the aim of using the footage to identify dissidents and go after members of the their family still in Syria.
 
In an official statement on Friday, a US State Department spokesman stated,”The United States government takes very seriously reports of any foreign government actions attempting to intimidate individuals in the United States who are exercising their lawful right to freedom of speech as protected by the U.S. Constitution. We are also investigating reports that the Syrian government has sought retribution against Syrian family members for the actions of their relatives in the United States exercising their lawful rights in this country and will respond accordingly.” 
 
Some reports suggested that the US might impose severe travel restrictions against the Ambassador Moustapha as well as against the Syrian Ambassador to the United Nations Bashar Jaafri. The restrictions would limit their movements to within five miles of their respective embassies.
 
Ambassador Moustapha has been notably popular in Washington. Well-connected and well-received, he is known for his social skills and popularity – as well as for his blog, which covers modern art. As a result, the allegations against him come as a surprise to many. A number of reports hint at the possibility of political motivations on the part of the US republican party behind the storm of accusations against him. Nevertheless, the same reports present troubling evidence of the monitoring and subsequent intimidation and maltreatment of Syrian-American protestors and their families back home. 
 
European Union imposes further sanctions
On July 7, international media reported that during a meeting in Strasbourg, France on Thursday July 7, European Union lawmakers called upon EU member states to impose further sanctions against the Syrian government. Specifically, the EU lawmakers issued a statement indicating that, “The Council (of EU governments) should continue to extend targeted sanctions to all persons and entities linked to the (Syrian) regime with the view to weakening and isolating them, paving the way for democratic transition.” The EU officials also voiced approval of possible plans for EU assistance to Turkey and Lebanon in possible efforts to set up a humanitarian corridor to meet the needs of Syrian refugees escaping violence.
 
United Nations
On Tuesday, the UN Security Council condemned “in the strongest terms” the attacks again both the French and US embassies in Damascus. The following day, a number of European governments, including that of France, circulated a draft resolution during a UN Security Council meeting, urging the UN to take action in response to the crisis in Syria. China and Russia, long-standing opponents of any such resolution, blocked the move. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov explained his country’s decision, noting that diplomacy is about “political scores. Our goal is to solve problems, but just condemning people without any solution will not lead us to anything.” 
 
France’s Defense Minister, Gerard Longuet, responded on LCI news channel, with a statement that ran wild in international media: “It is indecent because Bashar al-Assad has mobilised incredible resources to neutralise his opposition…Countries … like China … and Russia must accept common rules — one does not deal with one’s opposition with cannon fire.”
 
Lebanon
On July 8, the Secretary General of the Association of Banks in Lebanon, Makram Sadar, issued a statement indicating the international reports alleging massive capital flight from Syria into Lebanon, are exaggerated and incorrect. Specifically, Sadar stated that, “Our deposit growth in the last five and a half months was $3.3 billion — less than our normal growth.” Responding to international reports that some $20 billion had recently made its way out of Syria and into Lebanon since the start of the protests in March, Sadar said, “An outflow of $20 billion out of $28 billion — you would see a quick breakdown of the system.”
 
On Tuesday July 12, Former Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri issued a statement indicating that his Future Movement sympathizes with the people of Syria. Hariri stated that, “We think that what is happening in parts of Syria is an injustice.’ In a remark directed toward President Assad Hariri stated, “No one is greater than his country. The Syrians are the foundations of the country so you should protect them.”
 
Further Reading
 
“Syria in the Shadow of Libyan Parallels” – Asia Times – An important read by Victor Kotsev. Kotsev cautions against comparing the situation in Syria to those of Libya and Egypt, noting that as the Syrian unrest progresses, the narratives used by international media become “clearer and neater” as “on the surface, the fault lines appear simple”. The dominant narrative, according to Kotsev is “Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is sticking to his guns even as the pressure on him escalates and his legitimacy seemingly declines.” However, as Kotsev and many analysts see it,  with a “fragmented and opaque opposition, a growing sense of fear, frustration and foreign meddling” and little reason to believe that “a democratic transition can happen quickly and following a revolutionary model…the Syrian social fabric is in danger, and the basic issues and internal divisions can shift quickly if they haven’t already started to do so.” Kotsev also highlights the manner in which the conflict in Syria “is increasingly taking on a life of its own, independent from its original causes and fault lines.” According to Kotsev, this reality is exacerbated by international meddling – including the “symbolic exchange of ultimatums between the Syrian government and Western powers” last week following Hillary Clinton’s remarks that President Assad “is not indispensable”, the specter of Turkish intervention, and Iranian efforts to ‘cut losses’ if the government shows signs of collapse. Kotsev makes a strong case for avoiding “simplistic narratives”. 
 
“Arab Silence at Syria Crackdown Speaks Volumes” & “Analysis – Saudi Policy on Yemen and Syria Seen Floundering” – Reuters – In the former, Tom Pfeiffer and Shaimaa Fayed argue that the collapse of the Syrian government as a consequence of the country’s revolution, would bring about the broader destabilization of the heart of the Middle East – and threaten the likes of Jordan, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, with enlivened civil unrest. The leaders of these same countries also fear that should they express support for the Syrian movement only to see the revolution crushed, relations with Damascus would be irreparably severed. Political leaders the world over, have struggled to adopt a firm line in response to the Syrian crisis, as no one is positioned to predict the outcome of the unrest. The latter is a related clip covering the motivations behind the Saudi response, or lack there of, to the current situation in Syria.
 
“Fearful Syrians Use Coded Language to Mask Protest Activities” – Los Angeles Times – Years of monitoring and censorship have taught many how to skirt the system. Now ever popular, are code words used in telephone conversations and daily life, which allow dissidents to communicate about their political activities and leanings. 
 
“Did Syria Doctor this Odd Photo of Assad?” – The Guardian – An arguably comical clip covering debate over an odd picture of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad swearing in the new governor of Hama. 
 
“Syria’s Best-Known Dissident Reflects On Uprising” – National Public Radio – An July 8 interview with Michel Kilo, one of Syria’s most well-known political dissidents, on NPR. During the interview, Kilo credits Syrian youths for their bravery in organizing protests saying, “What the youth have managed to do is really enormous. They have managed to form a popular revolution.” Comparing the country’s older dissidents with the new generation, he says of the youths, “They are better, much better. They have organized the street and they are fighting for the street.” An interesting and informed interview, Kilo also spoke of his decision not to participate in the government-led national dialogue.
 
“Syria: Did Man Film Himself Getting Shot by Sniper?” – Global Voices Online – An article detailing the debate over a video released two weeks ago, in which an individual thought to be filming a member of Syrian security forces shooting randomly at civilians, ends up filming his own death when the gunman turns the weapon on him. Initially, the video was widely thought to be legitimate. In the days following its release, however, a number of significant concerns about is authenticity came out – including in comments posted on YouTube, where it was first shared.
 
“Syria’s Assad & America’s Decaying Credibility” – The Huffington Post – Former US Ambassador to Morocco, Marc Ginsberg, puts forth a scathing assessment of the US’s response to the crackdown against protestors in Syria, and discusses the manner in which Syria is allegedly linked to the 2005 assassination of Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. Many will find it an inflammatory read. Nonetheless, it sheds light on the foreign policy leanings of a broad swath of American politicians and analysts. 
 
“Syria’s Secret War Against the Cyber Dissidents” – AFP – An interesting article detailing the manner in which pro-government forces are using the internet to target and attack members of the Syrian opposition. 
 
“The Hard Man of Damascus” – Foreign Policy – Gary Gambill evaluates the likelihood of President al-Assad’s acceptance of “a peaceful transition to democracy” and adopts a harsh line of criticism against foreign policy that encourages Syrian dissidents to engage in dialogue with Syria’s current government. According to Gambill, “there are no plausible circumstances under which a democratic transition would constitute a rational choice” for President Assad. Gambill discusses the issues that both enable and necessitate the country’s security structure, sectarian issues that perpetuate the desire to maintain the status quo, the possibilities of a negotiated agreement between the government and the opposition, and the troubles of a pacted transition. 
 
“West Needs to Treat Sanctions Against Syria with Caution” – The National – Despite its broad title, this article discusses only the implications of oil sanctions against Syria, arguing that if they are indeed imposed by the west, governments with troubling human rights records and minimal concerns for regulatory oversight, such as China, will problematically step in to fill the void – an arguably convenient assessment. 
 
Security
 
International Atomic Energy Agency
On Thursday July 14, the International Atomic Energy Agency brought Syria’s case of alleged covert atomic work before the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). During the UNSC meeting, both Russia and China called into question the utility of pursuing the issue, as the alleged nuclear site was destroyed by an Israeli bombing in 2007. Chinese envoy Wang Min was reportedly displeased with the council’s discussion of the issue, stating that “We should not talk about something that does not exist. There are a lot of things that happened in the past — should we discuss all of them?“
 
Syrian Ambassador to the UN Bashar Ja’afari, reportedly said after the meeting that it “didn’t come to any conclusion because the Security Council considers only matters related to threats to peace and security, not to prefabricated, unfounded accusations against a member state of the United Nations. The point is that there is no case for the Security Council to consider in its deliberations.”
 
Energy
 
Gulfsands Petroleum
On July 11, Gulfsands Petroleum  (LON:GPX) announced that two of its wells in Syria have discovered “high quality oil reservoirs“. The wells are situated in the Khurbet East (KHE-19st) and Yousefieh (Yous-7) fields. In a statement to the press that day, the company’s CEO, Ric Malcolm, said “We are pleased to have encountered high quality, oil bearing reservoirs in both the Yous-7 and KHE-19st wells and expect that these wells will soon add incremental volumes to the production capacity of the Khurbet East and Yousefieh fields.” The Yous-7 field’s gross production is over 1 million barrels, while the KHE-19st field is over 15 million barrels. According to the company, the projected combined production of both fields for 2011, is an estimated 24,000 barrels of oil per day. 
 
Tourism
 
Cruise lines abandon Syrian calls 
A number of foreign cruise lines with calls along Syria’s coastal towns of Tartous and Lattakia, have now abandoned the stops and replaced them with extended stays in the Red Sea and calls in Israel. The move comes in response to the worsening security situation in Syria. Voyages to Antiquity, Noble Caledonia, Compagnie du Ponant, and Regent Seven Seas are among the lines now using alternate routes. 

July 6, 2011 – Syria in the News: A Roundup of International Reportage

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Syria’s Protest Movement

After 300,000 protestors took to the streets of Hama in reportedly peaceful protest on Friday July 1, and thousands of others demonstrated in towns across the country, it seems the Syrian protest movement is now gaining critical mass. Nevertheless, while members of the opposition grow increasingly organized, the chasm between older dissidents and young protestors widens. The date set by President al-Assad for the start of the National Dialogue – July 10 – is rapidly approaching, yet many members of the opposition refuse to participate. The stalemate between the government and the protestors drags on, with the economy in tatters and growing concern that anticipated unrest during the upcoming month of Ramadan will bring the country to its knees.

Protest flash points
On Wednesday June 29, international reports emerged indicating that Syrian military forces had consolidated their hold on Rameh and numerous other villages in the northern province of Jabal al-Zawiya. Following a number of days of allegedly heavy shelling, activists reported that a total of 11 civilians had died. 
 
At the same time, reports suggested that security and military forces had almost entirely withdrawn from Hama – leaving the city in the hands of demonstrators – many of whom subsequently referred to it as “a liberated city”. Traffic police were even reportedly absent. Large rallies were held in the city center Wednesday night, with some demonstrators allegedly chanting, “Oh youth of Damascus, we’re Hama, and we’ve toppled the regime!” 
 
International reports also suggested that protestors, like their earlier counterparts in Egypt, had taken to cleaning the streets after rallies. Many also reported that even in the absence of traffic police, drivers were largely adhering to driving regulations. 
 
Military forces had also reportedly withdrawn from Abu Kamal, a city on the border with Iraq, as well as some Damascus suburbs. 
 
On Thursday June 30, competing rallies of anti- and pro-government protesters were held in the northern city of Aleppo. Some 1,000 opposition members reportedly gathered in two locations. International media suggests that they were assaulted by pro-government demonstrators. As Aleppo remains a stronghold of government supporters, any such dissent is particularly significant.
 
Protests on Friday reached staggering numbers, the largest so far since the start of the protest movement in March. Somewhere between 9 and 14 people were killed in Homs and the Damascus suburbs of Daraya and Qadam, with estimates still rising. The Syrian government attributes the killings to the work of “armed men“, while international media blame the deaths on Syrian security forces.
 
The biggest protests were held in Hama, the country’s fourth largest city, where an estimated 300,000 took to the streets. The crowds on Friday undoubtedly dwarfed all those that came before – in any location in the country. With such large numbers taking to the streets – in by all accounts a peaceful manner – it seems the Syrian protest movement is beginning to reach a critical mass. 
 
To that end, demonstrations were also held in countless cities and villages across the country, including in Aleppo which until very recent weeks, has been largely free from the unrest.
 
On Sunday, some international reports indicated that armored carriers and tanks had begun passing through Hama, while other suggested that they had stationed themselves along the city’s permitter, setting up checkpoints at city entrances. Activists reported that numerous arrests were made in Hama’s suburbs and that gunfire could be heard throughout the day. Electricity and communications were also reportedly cut in some portions of the city – a confounding turn of events, given the peaceful nature of the protests held only two days prior. 
 
International reportage on Sunday likewise indicated that security forces had conducted night raids of homes in Idleb and Homs the night before, with tanks allegedly deploying to the Homs village of Qusair.
 
On Monday, international media indicated that soldiers and tanks arrived in central Hama, conducting further house raids and massive security sweeps. Three people were reportedly killed, among them a 12-year-old boy. Some reports suggest that the city’s residents “fought back, trying to block arrests“. According to international reportage, a Syrian ex-Olympic boxer was among those critically wounded amid the day’s security sweeps. Nasser al-Shami, a bronze medalist in the heavyweight division of the 2004 Olympics, was hit by shotgun pellets. His condition has stabilized, however, he remains in the hospital. 
 
The following day, tanks were reportedly remained deployed around Hama, with security operations still underway. International reports indicate that 22 people were shot dead that day and that the city’s electricity and water supplies were largely still cut.
 
Of the sudden violence in Hama, SANA reports: “A group of saboteurs cut off roads, set up roadblocks and burned tires in several areas in the city of Hama on Tuesday, in addition to committing acts of vandalism and burning a bus. An official source at Hama said that law-enforcement forces intervened to restore security and stability to the areas where the events took place, and were attacked by armed groups who opened fire on them and used Molotov cocktails and nail bombs. In the ensuing confrontation, one law-enforcement officer was martyred and 13 were injured, while a number of armed men were injured and others were arrested. Earlier on Monday, these groups cut off roads, committed vandalism, burned tires and prevented people from going to work. The source pointed out that citizens asked law-enforcement sources to intervene and protect them from the armed groups terrorizing them.” Given recent weeks of peace in Hama, such allegations come as a disappointment to many.
 
In recent weeks, Syrian security and military forces had appeared to exercise comparative restraint in their response to demonstrators, perhaps in a move to get Syrian opposition to participate in the national dialogue advocated for by President Assad. However at present, it appears that approach might have come to an end.
 
The prevailing view is that the protestors and government remain locked in a bitter stalemate, with the government maintaining its popular hold on Damascus and Aleppo – the country’s two largest cities – and protestors growing in numbers and stretching thin both the manpower and resources of the security and military forces in much of the rest of the country. 
 
The government puts forth a different interpretation of the situation, however, stating that security and military forces are absent where demonstrations are peaceful. A preponderance of unconfirmed evidence, however, suggests that this is not always the case. There is also the debate over the catalyst of violence perpetrated by demonstrators – with some sides arguing that it is in response to government repression and aggression, and others including the government, stating that armed militants are initiating attacks against Syrian security forces. 
 
Syrian activists now put the death toll from the unrest at an estimated 1450, including 91 children, 41 women and a further 193 Syrian soldiers, who activists claim were killed following their refusal to open fire on unarmed protestors. Activists also maintain that those still detained for participating in or supporting the unrest, number somewhere between 5,000 and 16,000.
 
Civil disobedience, or lawlessness?
As summer progresses and the protest movement grows in numbers and scope, many argue that the country is slowly edging toward a state of lawlessness. While pro-government demonstrators have allegedly waged assaults on members of the opposition, crime is reportedly increasing – as is illegal construction. In some areas basic services, such as garbage collection, are reportedly on the decline. Streets in Damascus are now peppered with illegal vendors, who in the recent past, police never permitted to set up shop. At the same time, there are allegations that the government itself is using non-state actors to quell the unrest. There is disagreement regarding who should be blamed for such trends, with some pointing fingers at Syrian citizens themselves, and others attributing the decline in obedience to the law, to precendents set by the government. What is certain, is that such developments only exacerbate the country’s trend toward broad scale disorder. 
 
Syrian Opposition
On Thursday June 30, The Guardian published an English version of “A Roadmap for Syria: Enabling the Syrian Authority to Make a Secure and Peaceful Transition to Civil Democracy” – a draft document put forth by activists Louay Hussein and Maan Abdul Salam, on behalf of the National Action Committee. The following is an abbreviated version of calls for reform detailed within the document, for the full text see here.
 
“The security forces should work according to specific regulations: Act in accordance with the principle of defense, not attack, meaning they should remain on the street for the protection of vital installations and public and private property and the safety of people and their lives. … Security and military personnel in the street should be wearing official or regular uniform, with proper insignia displayed, as well as name, rank and unit.
 
“Adoption of a mechanism for organized demonstrations to be conducted after a notice submitted to the concerned government official at the governorate…
 
“No security or military personnel are to be permitted to humiliate, insult, abuse or beat any demonstrator for any reason, whatsoever.
 
“Issue a clear decision and firm decree from the President of the Republic not to harass or arrest any Syrian citizen because of his peaceful political opinions.
 
“To allow…intellectuals to meet in public and private places in an open way, and not secretly, after notification of a specific government authority.
 
“Lifting the dominance of security services on public information and activities of local and foreign media institutions. This should start by allowing Syrian journalists working in local, Arab and international media institutions to cover the current events…
 
“Providing a clear and frank apology and regret for what happened in the country, and the accountability of executive bodies and personalities who failed to accommodate the movement of legitimate protest, and even hard-line rhetoric in the street.
 
“Providing material and moral compensation to the families of the victims, injured and the wounded who were killed during recent events. This would include care for all those wounded and detained at protest events.
 
“The release of all detainees involved in protest events, without the need to refer them to a court, unless it is proven that they were complicit in the murder of any Syrian citizen whether civilian or military.”
 
The “Road Map” continues on with a detailed proposal for the country’s political transition – which notably allows for President Assad himself, to oversee the reforms. The overall authenticity of the document as representative of the interests and demands of those participating in the unrest, has been heavily questioned. As the document surfaced on June 27 amid a public opposition meeting held in Damascus and sanctioned by the government, many view it as an extension of government interests. To that end, the proposed reforms are clearly inconsistent with those called for on the streets.
 
Further, political opposition with notable links to the Syrian government, also held another public meeting in Damascus on Sunday July 3. Participants called for the protection of peaceful protestors and further media rights, among much else. 
 
Nevertheless, there is also no doubt that members of Syrian opposition are becoming increasingly organized and influential. Local Coordination Committees, the organizing groups generally run by Syrian youths, are decentralized and secretive – and quite successful at organizing unrest as a result. They are also, however, viewed as the ‘wild card’ of the Syrian revolutionary movement, as few know how to engage with them. 
 
Thus far, international media report that they have played a critically important role in bridging the sectarian and economic divides that could pit Syrian protestors against each other. At present, it is thought that some 100 to 200 Syrian youths are active members of these committees, 35 of whom have assumed leadership positions. These committee members are reportedly virtual organizers, using the internet to plan protests.
 
Where older Syrian dissidents – particularly those who live overseas – are generally thought to espouse only their own political views unrepresentative of broader dissident groups, these younger opposition members are thought to be more in tune with opposition movement’s wider demands. The growing strength of this youthful opposition movement, however, also suggests the possibility of a tense divide between the big names of an older dissident generation, and Syrian youths’ comparatively furtive opposition members. While the Syrian government seems to acknowledge the views of the former, it has yet to indicate awareness of the later – a reality that could spark tensions down the road. 
 
Government reforms, efforts to mitigate tensions
On Tuesday June 28, President Assad issued Legislative Decree No. 76 on “regulating the work of the General Housing Establishment to meet demographic needs of population, particularly social housing.”
 
On Saturday July 2, the President issued a decree discharging the Governor of Hama, Dr. Ahmad Khaled Abdul-Aziz. Abdul-Aziz is the third governor sacked by the President since the start of the unrest on March 15. Previously, he had sacked the governors of Daraa and Homs. Some accuse the President of seeking to identify scapegoats for the crisis. The move to sack Abdul-Aziz was surprising to some, as Abdul-Aziz was respected by residents of Hama for his efforts to avoid further violence. Many fear that with his removal, military and security forces in Hama will adopt a more intolerant stance toward those participating in the unrest. 
 
Amnesty International 
On Wednesday July 6, Amnesty International released a troubling report, “Crackdown in Syria: Terror in Tell Kalakh,” that interprets available evidence of the military operations in the formerly besieged border town, beginning on May 14, as indicative of crimes against humanity. The report contains alleged eye-witness accounts of arbitrary detention, torture and deaths whilst in police custody. Interviews were conducted with over 50 individuals from the border town. Amnesty International has reiterated its call on the UN Security Council to send the Syria case to the International Criminal Court.
 
Further Reading:
 
“The Squeeze on Assad” – The Economist – One of the most comprehensive and well-written articles on the Syrian revolution to-date. The author details the evolution of the Syrian protest movement, from scattered and brazen, to organized and empowered. Far from just a “peasant revolt,” in recent weeks university students, important religious clergy, and members of the middle class, have joined forces with the country’s protesting laborers, showing “unity of purpose”. According to the author, the government’s grip over the Syrian populace is slipping, a shift in power likely to speed up amid anticipated daily mass protests during Ramadan. While clashes are likely short-term – as the author sees it – “a violent meltdown is not inevitable” and “patience” on the part of the protestors who continue taking to the streets week after week, will be both a “weapon” and a “virtue”. A must-read for all concerned. 
 
“How the Syrian Regime is Ensuring its Demise” – The Washington Post – Authors Peter Harling and Robert Malley maintain the view that the use of violence against those participating in the unrest is a self-defeating move, as “the longer unrest endures, the less the regime will represent the promise of order” – a promise that until recent months, had fortified its popular legitimacy. As the authors see it, the “violence has not stemmed the rising tide of protests and, even to those who commit it, it has had neither a defensible purpose nor visible effect. Crackdowns on armed Islamist groups are a task security forces could carry out possibly forever. But being asked to treat fellow citizens as foreign enemies is altogether different and far more difficult to justify.”
 
“The Least Free Places on Earth, 2011” – Foreign Policy – This year, Syria takes a place alongside of Chad, Somalia, Belarus, China, Cote d’Ivoire and some fourteen other countries categorized as the 20 “least free places on earth” in a Freedom House report – “Worst of the Worst: The World’s Most Repressive Societies.” Foreign Policy ran a related “The Least Free Places on Earth, 2011” last week in which Syria was featured. 
 
“SYRIA: Cameraman Apparently Shot by Security Officer” – Los Angeles Times – A crushing bit of citizen journalism that ran rampant across international media – a young man reportedly films is own death when he is fatally shot whilst filming a member of the security forces. 
 
“All in for Freedom in Syria” – Los Angeles Times – An op-ed by a Syrian dissident, Nazir al-Abdo, whose brother was arrested whilst protesting and later turned up on state-run TV confessing that he had filmed the “crimes of armed gangs” while other protestors had “doctored the footage to make the protests look larger” and to “appear as if the security services and the army were responsible for killing civilians”.
 
“Syria’s Minorities Fear Sectarian Split Amid Protests” – NPR – Locals and internationals analysts alike, have differing views on the country’s prospects for full-on sectarian conflict. This NPR article and audio clip, captures the debate. 
 
“Fighting the Syrian Regime From a Chicago Office” – The New York Times – Syrian expats work from outside the country to fortify the efforts of the Syria’s protest movement. Yaser Tabbara is one such individual, a Chicago lawyer who grew up in Damascus, and who now spends much of his time aiding efforts to build the legal case for charging the Syrian government with crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court. 
 
“The roadmap to Nowhere: How Assad is Trying to Steal the Syrian Revolution” – The Telegraph – Michael Weiss argues that the US administration and elements of the US domestic media – including Anthony Shadid of The New York Times – have bought into Syrian government “propaganda” attributing the revolution in Syria to “the handiwork of terrorists”. According to Weiss, such “propaganda…is easy enough when you’ve got an administration that wants you to remain in power.” More interestingly, however, Weiss puts forth the details of his skeptical interpretation of “A Roadmap for Syria: Enabling the Syrian Authority to Make a Secure and Peaceful Transition to Civil Democracy” – a document he views as a mere extension of government interests and hyperbole.  
 
Politics & Diplomacy
 
United States
Treasury Department sanctions
On Wednesday June 29, the US Treasury Department formally imposed sanctions against Syrian security forces and Iran’s national police, on charges of broad scale human rights abuses committed in Syria since mid-March. Specifically, Syria’s Political Security Directorate, the head of Syrian Air Force Intelligence, and the Law Enforcement Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran – along with two of its key leaders were put under sanctions.
 
Of the sanctions, the Treasury’s acting under-secretary for terrorism, David Cohen said, “Today’s action builds on the administration’s efforts to pressure Assad and his regime to end the use of wanton violence and begin transitioning to a system that ensures the universal rights of the Syrian people. We are exposing further Iran’s provision of its military and security forces to support the Syrian government’s ongoing violence and repression of the Syrian people.” Nevertheless, few outside of the US believe that Iran has substantively meddled in the Syrian crisis – setting aside likely technical assistance such as web monitoring.
 
Controversial support for roadmap for reform
On Thursday June 30, international reports also leaked information suggesting that the US is pushing hard for members of the Syrian opposition to engage in dialogue with President Assad. According to the reports, the US endorses the “roadmap” for reforms put forth by members of ‘The National Action Committee‘. The document proposes for Assad to remain in power, but only amid a “secure and peaceful transition to civil democracy”. Washington adamantly denies allegations that it has endorsed the document. 
 
For its alleged support for the continued rule of Syria’s president in exchange for his implementation of certain reforms, the US administration has fallen under heavy criticism. In a recent article, “Syria: Realpoltik or Folly?” Elliott Abrams, a well-known conservative analyst for The Council on Foreign Relations, wrote “The Assad regime has adopted a diplomatic and propaganda plan so clear in its duplicity that I had assumed no one would fall for it.” He continued, “…the United States wants the regime to talk, not to fall.  In recent trips to the Middle East and in conversations with Arab democracy activists, I have often been asked why the United States is backing Bashar.  After months of denying it, I can only conclude they were right. …The American call for such “dialogue” is an act of realpolitik that abandons all claim to morality.” According to Abrams, such realpolitik, “must then be judged by its logic and its fruits” and in the case of US policy with Syria, “there are none, except for undermining the moral position of the United States.” 
 
In a press briefing on July 1, US Department of State spokesman Mark Toner made the following statements regarding allegations published in The Guardian of US support for the “roadmap” for reform: “We are, indeed, encouraging dialogue between the opposition and the government. This is something we’ve talked about. And we call on the Syrian Government to create that space, to create the right climate to make possible a dialogue in negotiation. That’s got to be the first step in any kind of reconciliation and transition process. But in terms of promoting one plan over any other plan, that’s just not true. We want to see, again, dialogue and a transition process, but we certainly don’t back any plan. This is something that’s in the hands of the Syrian people.” To read Toner’s extensive emarks on Syria in their entirety, see here.
 
Clinton: Syrian government running out of time
At a press conference in Lithuania on Friday July 1, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton indicated that the Syrian government is quickly running out of time to deal with the crisis, stating that, “It is absolutely clear that the Syrian government is running out of time. They are either going to allow a serious political process that will include peaceful protests to take place throughout Syria and engage in a productive dialogue with members of the opposition and civil society, or they’re going to continue to see increasingly organized resistance.” 
 
Ambassador Ford to maintain post
Early last week, US State Department Spokeswoman Victoria Nuland ruled out the possibility of removing US Ambassador Ford from his post in Syria. Nuland asserted that, “Our review remains that Ambassador Ford is doing useful work in Damascus and in Syria, he continues to meet with a broad cross- section of Syrian opposition…He is now occasionally meeting with members of the government as appropriate. We did think that his trip up north, even though it was organized by the Syrian government, allowed him to convey our messages. So we still see his role there as useful and helpful to our ability to have a stronger understanding of what’s going on inside Syria.”
 
Congressman Dennis Kucinich
Meanwhile, US conservative backlash against Congressman Kucinich’s meeting with President Assad and subsequent statements to the press, also took hold of American domestic media mid-week, with a number of mainstream newspapers printing scathing criticisms of Kucinich’s willingness to meet with Assad and alleged comments to the press afterwards – the most inflammatory of which, was that “Assad is highly loved and appreciated by the Syrians“. The Washington Post, known for its conservative leanings and the editorial board’s overall opposition to US diplomatic engagement with Syria, posted a ferocious editorial on Kucinich’s meeting with President Assad and subsequent statements to the press under the title: “Rep. Kucinich Takes the Side of Syria’s Murderous Dictator“. 
 
In the op-ed, the Post’s editorial board stated that, Kucinich “traveled to Damascus over the weekend to huddle with Syria’s dictator, who is desperately seeking to avoid being isolated and labeled illegitimate by the outside world. Thanks to the slaughter by his security forces of at least 1,400 people — the vast majority of them unarmed civilians — Mr. Assad has few friends these days… But Mr. Assad still has a friend: Mr. Kucinich. The Cleveland lawmaker chose not just to meet with the ruler but also to hold a “press conference. ” Though he might not have heaped praise on Mr. Assad, Mr. Kucinich did endorse the regime’s latest propaganda strategy, which is to claim that it intends to engage opponents in a “dialogue” and then carry out reforms…In fact, the hundreds of thousands of Syrians who have risked their lives to take to the streets since March are not seeking reforms from Mr. Assad — they are demanding the end of his regime. The idea that, having slaughtered so many of his people, Mr. Assad would agree to a political transition that would allow Syrians to vote for or against his ruling party — which is dominated by a minority ethnic group — is absurd.”
 
In response to domestic criticisms, Kucinich published his own op-ed in The Huffington Post, “Efforts for Non-Violence Help Achieve Security Pull Back in Syria,” defending his trip and subsequent press statement and blaming “mistranslations” that “did not reflect my direct quotes” for the more controversial of his alleged assertions. 
 
Kucinich rationalized his trip by stating that, “How the U.S. and the international community, including the media, assess the crisis in Syria will affect whether Syria experiences a transformation to democracy, or whether it becomes the flash point for a new war in the Middle East.” On the violence, Kucinich went on to state that, “I don’t support the violence..and by direct appeal to President Assad and in supporting those who are seeking freedom and serious reforms, I am working to end the violence.” In so many words, Kucinich also assumed a degree of credit for President Assad’s move to remove the military from some cities in the days immediately following the meeting. 
 
He argued that the situation in Syria is complex and involves far more than “two players” – the opposition and the government. “President Assad has communicated directly to the opposition, and to me personally, that he is prepared to do that,” Kucinich stated. 
 
In direct response to The Washington Post Editorial Board, Kucinich said: “Unfortunately, through demonizing prose and a ‘with us or against us’ mindset, the Washington Post Editorial Board rejoins the march of folly that has in the past decade fueled a misguided approach to conflict resolution and democracy building that has left America with thousands of dead young soldiers, over a million dead civilians in Iraq, Afghanistan and the surrounding region, trillions of dollars of debt, and a new generation of terrorists.” For better or worse, by virtue of his approach to diplomatic engagement in international hot spots, Kucinich stands nearly alone in the US government.
 
Debate over UN resolution 
On Thursday June 30, the US and Europe railed on Syria at the United Nations, following weeks of failed efforts to get Russian approval for a UN resolution condemning the Syrian government for its violent management of the country’s unrest. The countries used the renewal of the UN’s mandate for an observer force in Syria’s Israeli-occupied Golan heights. The resolution renewing support for the four-decade-old force was unanimous. 
 
The US and Europe pushed to include new text in the resolution, in condemnation of the “human rights abuses” committed by the Syrian government against Syrian protestors. Both China and Russia threatened to veto the renewal, however, if such text was included. The final version of the resolution included the following text, expressing “grave concern at the serious events that occurred in UNDOF’s area of operations on 15 May and 5 June that put the long held ceasefire in jeopardy.” 
 
Israel military forces shot and killed numerous Palestinian protestors who gathered along the border on both May 15 (Nakba Day) and June 5 (Naksa Day). It is widely believed that Syrian authorities permitted the protestors to enter the area (which is normally off limits) in an effort to heat up the conflict, drawing international attention away from its domestic crisis, and threatening Israel with renewed conflict. The Syrian government, however, continues to deny such charges.
 
Europe
Following a meeting with his Russian counterpart on July 1, French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe stated that “The UN Security Council cannot remain silent on the situation in Syria. It must demand the immediate stop of hostilities and the launch of effective reforms [in the country].” On Sunday July 3, a spokeswoman for Switzerland’s State Secretariat for Economic Affairs, Antie Baertschi, informed Swiss media that the Swiss government has frozen 27 million Swiss franks ($31.8 m USD) connected to high-level Syrian officials – including President Assad and 21 other figures.
 
Turkey
Reports continue to emerge of Turkish plans to set up a buffer zone inside of Syria, in the event of the significant deepening of Syria’s current unrest. In addition to worries of a massive outflow of Syrian refugees, Turkish officials fear that hard-line Syrian PKK members would take advantage of the crisis to make their way across the border – with the potential outcome of sparking violence within Turkish borders. A buffer zone within Syria would presumably limit the flow of Syrian refugees into Turkey, whilst reducing the likelihood of presumed terrorists slipping across the border. Turkey made a similar move in 1991 during the Gulf War, when it set up a buffer zone in Iraq to contain the resulting outflow of Kurdish refugees. 
 
Russia
On Friday July 1, Russian Foreign MInister Sergey Lavrov reiterated the Russian government’s position against a UN resolution on Syria and pushed for members of the Syrian opposition to engage in talks with the Syrian government. In a statement to the press, Lavrov asserted that “If the opposition is truly interested in reforms in the Syrian society and state, then it is simply unacceptable to skate out of such proposals [of holding dialogue].” 
 
Lebanon
An article in Foreign Policy published on June 30 by John Hannah, “Countering Syria’s Lebanese Power Play,” details the complex relationship Beirut and Damascus, most notably allegations of Damascus’s extensive meddling the recent formation of Lebanon’s new government in an effort to ensure its political backing of Damascus, amid Syria’s deepening international isolation. Though many would find Hannah’s underlying interests problematic, much of the article’s content is of interest. As Hannah put it: “Assad’s purpose seems clear enough: to put all Lebanon’s political, economic, and security institutions at his regime’s disposal, to help him manage the mounting pressures until his security services succeed in crushing the internal rebellion that threatens his rule — a goal shared, of course, by both Iran and Hezbollah, for whom the loss of their longtime Syrian ally would be a potentially devastating strategic setback.” 
 
Also detailed, are links between the Syrian government and the Lebanese banking sector, including allegations that Syria’s central bank recently initiated the process of opening an account with its counterpart in Lebanon, allowing government assets to be shifted to Lebanon. 
 
NATO
On Thursday June 30, international media reported that NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen indicated at a press conference in Vienna, that “We do not foresee any intervention in Syria. In Libya, we are working on the basis of a UN mandate with the support of countries in the region. The conditions on Syria are not similar.”
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