Current Conflict in Syria

SYRIA

Current conflict in Syria

The current uprising in Syria is part of a series of demonstrations for democratic reform known as the 'Arab Spring' in the Middle East. Syria has long been governed by a Sunni dictatorship. Although not religious in nature, "the Assads and much of the nation's elite, especially the military, belong to the Alawite sect, a minority in a mostly Sunni country" (Syria news, 2012, The New York Times). The president Bashar al-Assad inherited his current position from his father. At first, it was hoped that he would be more lenient than his father. He lifted the country's state of emergency, which had existed for decades and given the government the ability to exercise a heavy hand over the liberties of the people. However, when the state of emergency ended and the population began to grow more fractious, he began a series of crackdowns.

The opposition to the Assad regime has divided the country. "Sunni Muslims who have fled the country described a government crackdown that is more pervasive and more sectarian than previously understood, with civilians affiliated with Mr. Assad's Alawite sect shooting at their onetime neighbors as the military presses what many Sunnis see as a campaign to force them to flee their homes and villages" (Syria news, 2012, The New York Times). One problem with the opposition in Syria is its relatively disparate nature. It is made up of a loose coalition of "fractious collection of political groups, longtime exiles, grass-roots organizers and armed militants" (McFarquhar 2012). Opponents to the regime have begun to form a kind of government in exile alliance known as the Syrian National Council, but not even the regime's harshest opponents have recognized this governing body, given that its lack of unity means that it currently does not offer a viable alternative government. Even one activist recently quit in disgust, stating "they fight more than they work" (McFarquhar 2012). However, "the insurgents have been emboldened by increased funds and weapons from Arab gulf states" (Bloomfield & Sherlock 2012). Opposition to the regime has been unusually strident, even from members of the Arab and Muslim world. Syria was expelled from the Arab League after it failed to observe the terms of an UN-backed peace agreement. Jordan and Turkey, and the Arab League members have publicly condemned the regime's oppression. The United Nations General Assembly also condemned Syria's oppression of dissents in February 2012 (Syria news, 2012, The New York Times). There are hopeful signs of organized civilian resistance to the regime. "A general strike in Damascus called to protest the recent massacres have also proved surprisingly successful" (Bloomfield & Sherlock 2012).