On March 21st demonstrators in Dara'a, a large city in Syria, set fire to the ruling Baath Party’s headquarters and other government buildings. Police officers fired live ammunition into the crowds, killing at least one and wounding scores of others, witnesses said. President Assad made some “conciliatory gestures” to stop the protest, but crowds continued to gather around the biggest and most popular mosque in Dara’a, chanting demands of release of all political prisoners, trials for those who shot, the abolition of Syria’s 48 year emergency law, and an end to corruption. By March 23rd political officers set a crackdown on the protests in Dara’a, expanding police forces. High ranking aides stated that no peaceful demonstrators would be shot at, and apparently spoke of lifting the 48 year emergency law.
On March 26th Assad announced the release of almost 200 political prisoners in Syria, attempting to relieve the crisis. But by the sunset of this same day, there were Baath party offices burning in major cities, and police forces began to fire open rounds to the protesting public. On March 26th the confirmed death toll of protestors was at 61. On March 28th Assad accepted the resignation of his cabinet, as tens of thousands of government supporters took to the streets of the capital in an effort to counter a rising tide of pro-democracy protests in several cities. This can be considered one of the rare moments where the ruling Syrian government took a response to the rising pressures of the public.
Assad first addressed the nation after the recent bloody protests on March 30th. He blamed a broad conspiracy outside of Syria’s borders for Syria’s turmoil, and offered no concessions to ease his party’s grip on public life. The government also announced it was creating a committee to address the public’s concerns, but said nothing of immediate action of concessions. On April 4th thousands of Syrians took the streets of cities around Syria, chanting “we want freedom”. Syrian police and security officials responded with tear gas, electrified batons, and bullets. The protests were organized via social networking sites and Friday prayer meeting groups.
Yesterday, April 4th, Assad announced that Adel Safar, the minister of agriculture for the past eight years, will be appointed as the new prime minister. Thousands of Syrians marched the streets of Douman, chanting antigovernment slogans as they buried eight of the victims of the protests. Right now the tolls of the death are at over 100, with countless arrests and many wounded.
Every day Syria is beckoning closer to a government overthrown by its people, and to a happier, safe, and healthy life as a Syrian citizen. As we have seen in Egypt, the power of the public is overwhelming, and can ultimately change the way a nation works. We will see in these upcoming weeks if Syria is one of these nations.
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For a video of the protests click here:
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