Syrian civil war

2011 Syrian protests
Part of 2010–2011 Middle East and North Africa protests
Situation as of 14 April
Date	26 January 2011 (2011-01-26) – ongoing
Location	Syria
Caused by	Lack of effective constitution, government corruption.
Goals	Ending the state of emergency, regime change, freedom
Methods	Demonstrations, self-immolations, hunger strikes
Status	Ongoing
Casualties
Death(s)	250 killed (opposition claim) 270–460 killed, 180-240 missing (Arab Commission for Human Rights claim) 40 security forces members are among the dead
Injuries	Hundreds

The 2011 Syrian protests are a series of major protests taking place in Syria, which began on 26 January 2011, influenced by concurrent protests in the region. The protests have been described as "unprecedented".

Hundreds of protesters and security personnel have allegedly been killed, and many more injured, in the largest protests to take place in the country for decades. The United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the use of deadly force against protesters as "unacceptable".

Syria has been governed under an Emergency Law since 1962, resulting in the effective suspension of most constitutional protections for citizens. President Hafez al-Assad was in office for 30 years and his son President Bashar al-Assad has been in office since 2000.

Background

See also: Human rights in Syria

Overview

In 1963, following the success of the Ba'athist overthrow in Iraq, the Ba'ath Party took power in Syria. Despite internal power changes, such as the 1966 coup and the 1970 Syrian Corrective Revolution, the Ba'ath Party has remained the sole authority in Syria.

After the 1970 Revolution, President Hafez al-Assad led Syria for 30 years, banning any opposing political party and any opposition candidate in any election. He was followed as President by his son, Bashar al-Assad, for the past 11 years after a very controversial constitutional amendment at the time of his son's taking over, which lowered the age bar to enable his son to become President.

Syria has been under Emergency Law since 1962, effectively suspending most constitutional protections for citizens. Syrian governments have justified the state of emergency by pointing to the fact that Syria is in a state of war with Israel. Syrian citizens approve the President in a referendum. Syria does not hold multi-party elections for its legislature.

Former President Hafez al-Assad (right), and his brother Rifaat al-Assad (left), who personally supervised the Hama massacre

In 1982, after a 6-year period of Islamic insurgency in the country, the Hama massacre was carried out under the orders of President Hafez al-Assad, who conducted a scorched earth policy against the town of Hama in order to quell a revolt by the Sunni Muslim community against his regime. It was the climax of the insurgency. Hafez al-Assad responded to an uprising in Hama by the Muslim Brotherhood and others by sending a paramilitary force, which killed tens of thousands of people, including 10–80,000 civilians.

The 2004 Al-Qamishli riots against the government erupted in the northeastern city of Al-Qamishli. The riots[ began during a chaotic soccer match, when some people started raising Kurdish flags, and the match turned into a political conflict. In the aftermath of a brutal reaction by Syrian police and clashes between Kurdish and Arab groups, at least 30 people were killed, with some claims indicating a casualty count of about 100.

2011

Bashar al-Assad

While Bashar al-Assad had permitted existence of radio stations playing Western pop music, websites such as Wikipedia, Youtube, Facebook, and Amazon were blocked until 1 January 2011, when all citizens were permitted to sign up for high speed internet, and those sites were allowed. However, a 2007 law requires Internet cafes to record all comments that users post on chat forums.

On 31 January 2011, the Wall Street Journal ran an exclusive interview with Bashar al-Assad, in which he said that it was time to reform. Commenting on the protests in Egypt, Tunisia, and Yemen, he said that a "new era" is coming to the Middle East, and that Arab rulers would need to do more to accommodate their peoples' rising political and economic aspirations.

Bashar al-Assad's Alawite sect numbers barely 6% of Syrians, among a total Shia population of 13%. He has received complaints and several protests by Kurds. Al-Assad declared that his state was immune from the kinds of mass protests that took place in Egypt. Bouthaina Shaaban, a presidential adviser, blamed Sunni clerics and preachers for inciting Sunnis to revolt, such as Qatar-based Sheik Youssef al-Qaradawi in a sermon in Doha on 25 March.

Protests

U.S. secretly backed Syrian opposition groups, cables released by WikiLeaks show

An article from the Washington Post

Ausama Monajed, another Syrian exile in London, said he used to work as a producer for Barada TV and as media relations director for the Movement for Justice and Development but has not been “active” in either job for about a year. He said he now devotes all his energy to the Syrian revolutionary movement, distributing videos and protest updates to journalists.

He said he “could not confirm” any U.S. government support for the satellite channel, because he was not involved with its finances. “I didn’t receive a penny myself,” he said.

Several U.S. diplomatic cables from the embassy in Damascus reveal that the Syrian exiles received money from a State Department program called the Middle East Partnership Initiative. According to the cables, the State Department funneled money to the exile group via the Democracy Council, a Los Angeles-based nonprofit. According to its Web site, the council sponsors projects in the Middle East, Asia and Latin America to promote the “fundamental elements of stable societies.”

The council’s founder and president, James Prince, is a former congressional staff member and investment adviser for PricewaterhouseCoopers. Reached by telephone, Prince acknowledged that the council administers a grant from the Middle East Partnership Initiative but said that it was not “Syria-specific.”

Prince said he was “familiar with” Barada TV and the Syrian exile group in London, but he declined to comment further, saying he did not have approval from his board of directors. “We don’t really talk about anything like that,” he said.

The April 2009 cable from the U.S. Embassy in Damascus states that the Democracy Council received $6.3 million from the State Department to run a Syria-related program called the “Civil Society Strengthening Initiative.” That program is described as “a discrete collaborative effort between the Democracy Council and local partners” to produce, among other things, “various broadcast concepts.” Other cables make clear that one of those concepts was Barada TV.

U.S. allocations

Edgar Vasquez, a State Department spokesman, said the Middle East Partnership Initiative has allocated $7.5 million for Syrian programs since 2005. A cable from the embassy in Damascus, however, pegged a much higher total — about $12 million — between 2005 and 2010.

The cables report persistent fears among U.S. diplomats that Syrian state security agents had uncovered the money trail from Washington.

A September 2009 cable reported that Syrian agents had interrogated a number of people about “MEPI operations in particular,” a reference to the Middle East Partnership Initiative.

“It is unclear to what extent [Syrian] intelligence services understand how USG money enters Syria and through which proxy organizations,” the cable stated, referring to funding from the U.S. government. “What is clear, however, is that security agents are increasingly focused on this issue.”

U.S. diplomats also warned that Syrian agents may have “penetrated” the Movement for Justice and Development by intercepting its communications.

A June 2009 cable listed the concerns under the heading “MJD: A Leaky Boat?” It reported that the group was “seeking to expand its base in Syria” but had been “initially lax in its security, often speaking about highly sensitive material on open lines.”

The cable cited evidence that the Syrian intelligence service was aware of the connection between the London exile group and the Democracy Council in Los Angeles. As a result, embassy officials fretted that the entire Syria assistance program had been compromised.

“Reporting in other channels suggest the Syrian [Mukhabarat] may already have penetrated the MJD and is using the MJD contacts to track U.S. democracy programming,” the cable stated. “If the [Syrian government] does know, but has chosen not to intervene openly, it raises the possibility that the [government] may be mounting a campaign to entrap democracy activists.”

Timeline

January–March 2011

26–28 January

On 26 January 2011, Hasan Ali Akleh from Al-Hasakah poured gasoline on himself and set himself on fire, in the same way Tunisian Mohamed Bouazizi had in Tunis on 17 December 2010. According to eyewitnesses, the action was "a protest against the Syrian government".

On 28 January 2011, an evening demonstration was held in Ar-Raqqah, to protest the killing of two soldiers of Kurdish descent.

2 February

On 2 February, a group of 20 people in civilian clothing beat and dispersed 15 people who had been holding a candlelight vigil at Bab Tuma in Damascus for Egyptian demonstrators, Human Rights Watch reported.

4–16 February

On 3 February, a "Day of Rage" was called for in Syria from 4–5 February on social media sites Facebook and Twitter. Protesters demanded governmental reform. Most protests took place outside of Syria, and were small. The protests were expected to begin on 4 February, as social media mobilised the Syrian people for rallies demanding freedom, human rights, and the end to the country's state of emergency. Protests were also scheduled for 5 February in front of the parliament in Damascus, and at Syrian embassies internationally. Al Jazeera reported increased security for the planned "Days of Rage."

The only known action took place on 5 February, when hundreds of protesters in Al-Hasakah participated in a mass demonstration, calling for al-Assad's departure. Syrian authorities arrested dozens, and a demonstration was quickly triggered. Suhair Atassi, who runs the banned Jamal Atassi Forum, called for political reforms and the reinstatement of civil rights, as well as for an end to the emergency law that has been in place since 1962. However, no protests occurred on either date. After the failure of attempts to arrange a "Day of Rage," Al Jazeera described the country as "a kingdom of silence". It identified the key factors underlying Syrian stability as the country's strict security measures, the popularity of President Bashar al-Assad, and fear of potential sectarian violence in the aftermath of a government ouster (akin to neighbouring Iraq).

17 February

External videos
Protests in Damscus, Syria, 17 February 2011 on YouTube

On 17 February, a spontaneous demonstration broke out outside Al-Hamidiyah Souq in Damascus, to protest the police beating of a local shop owner. Several men gathered and blocked a road, while chanting that "The Syrian people will not be humiliated". An eyewitness estimated that there were more than 1,500 demonstrators. Secret police officers arrived on the scene quickly, along with several government officials and finally Syria's interior minister, who dispersed the demonstrators, took the shop owner into his car, and promised an investigation. A couple of hours later, several videos of the events were posted on YouTube.

22–23 February

On 22 February, about 200 people gathered outside the Libyan embassy in Damascus to protest against the Libyan regime, and ask that the ambassador resign. Despite the peaceful demonstration, there were nearly twice as many secret and uniformed police as there were protesters. The demonstrators carried placards reading "Freedom for the people" and "Down with Gaddafi". The protesters then started chanting "Traitors are those that beat their people", which created nervousness among the security forces, who immediately asked the people to return to their homes. 14 people were arrested but later released, and several more were beaten by policemen. Some protesters were punched, kicked and beaten with sticks. All present had their identities recorded.

On 23 February, during a routine session of the Syrian Parliament, a member proposed that harsh emergency laws be reviewed. The issue was not scheduled for discussion, and its introduction came as a surprise. A pro-government official who was at the session recalled it with anger. The proposal was rapidly quashed, when the speaker put the proposed review to a vote in the chamber, but none of the other 249 MPs supported it.

6–10 March

On 6 March, a number of young boys under 15 years of age were arrested in Daraa, for writing on the walls of the city a slogan of the 2010–11 Arab uprisings that: "the people want to overthrow the regime". It was reported that Libyan Anti-Gaddafi forces shot down two Syrian war planes in Ras Lanuf, Libya; this was later denied by Syrian officials. In Lebanon, four brothers, all of them Syrian opposition activists, went missing shortly after passing out flyers in front of the Syrian embassy in Beirut, calling for a demonstration to oppose Syria's government. TIME said that the commitment could still be found among the Syrian youth, but that what was needed was a starting point. Ribal al-Assad said that it was almost time for Syria to be the next domino.

On 7 March, 13 Syrian political prisoners went on a hunger strike to protest against "political detentions and oppression" in Syria. They demanded an end to political arrests, the removal of injustices, and the restitution of rights that had been removed from civil and political life.

On 10 March, dozens of jailed Kurds in Syria, from the Yakiti party and from the Democratic Union, started a hunger strike in solidarity with other activists who had also initiated hunger strikes in a prison near Damascus three days earlier. Human Rights Watch reacted to the disappearance of Syrian activists in Lebanon four days earlier, indicating that it feared that Lebanon is "back to doing Syria's dirty job". The Syrian Foreign Ministry stated that Syria was monitoring with high concern "the tragic developments in the brotherly country of Libya". Syrian newspaper Al-Watan said that the Syrian government welcomed the fall of Mubarak's regime, and was looking forward to a new leadership that does not "cover for Israeli violations". The Reform Party of Syria asserted that "al-Assad is sending arms to Gaddafi to kill his people with".

12–13 March

On 12 March, thousands of Syrian Kurds in al-Qamishli and in al-Hasakah protested on the day of Kurdish martyr, which is an annual event since 2004, when many Syrian kurds died in anti-government demonstrations.

Al Jazeera reported that a civilian vessel, loaded with weapons and ammunition and 500 SUVs had sailed from the port of Tartus in Syria towards Tripoli in Libya, in order to supply the Gaddafi forces. The reporter said that the Syrian battalion is fighting alongside Gaddafi against the Libyan rebels. That was also confirmed with an interview with Libyan politician Ibrahim Jibreel.

On 13 March, Kamal Hussein Cheikho, a Kurdish member of the Committee for the Defence of Democratic Liberties and Human Rights in Syria (CDF), was released on bail of 500 Syrian pounds ($10). He is still facing charges for allegedly publishing material harmful to the country.

15 March

Simultaneous demonstrations took place in major cities across Syria. Thousands of protestors gathered in al-Hasakah, Daraa, Deir ez-Zor, and Hama. There were some clashes with security, according to reports from dissident groups. In Damascus, a smaller group of 200 men grew spontaneously to about 1,500 men. Damascus has not seen such protests since the 1980s. The official Facebook page called "Syrian Revolution 2011" showed pictures of supportive demonstrations in Cairo, Nicosia, Helsinki, Istanbul and Berlin. There were also unconfirmed news that Syrian revolution supporters of Libyan descent, stormed into the Syrian Embassy in Paris.

Another recently released political figure, Suhair Atassi, became an unofficial spokesperson for the "Syrian revolution", when she was interviewed by dozens of Arab and international media channels regarding the protests. There were reports of 6 arrested in Damascus. Atassi paid tribute to "the Syrian people who took the initiative ahead of the opposition," recalling the popular uprisings that shook Tunisia and Egypt After the first day of the protests there were reports about approximately 3000 arrests and a few "martyrs", but there are no official figures on the number of deaths.

16 March

Syrian authorities forcibly dispersed a crowd composed of 200 demonstrators in front of the Syrian Interior Ministry. al-Arabiya reported that the protesters were a mix of activists and jurists, writers, journalists, young academics, and family members to people detained in Syrian prisons. Several security officers managed to infiltrate themselves in demonstrations at different places and started shouting slogans declaring their love and loyalty to President Bashar al-Assad. The security forces arrested a number of protestors, Al Jazeera reported 25, while Al Arabiya said 32 including activist and lawyer Suhair Atassi and Kamal Cheikho, an activist who had been released two days earlier. World Organisation Against Torture published list of arrests and demanded immediate release of them.

Mohamed al-Ali, a spokesman for the Syrian Interior Authority denied that any demonstrations took place in Syria and said that the Facebook-campaign has proved unsuccessful. According to the spokesperson, the "claimed protests" consisted of a bunch of people who were "hiding" among the already packed souq and tried to make it look like a demonstration. In another statement, he finally acknowledged the protest but then turned it around by saying that the demonstration which was outside the Interior Authority's building was actually in support of President Bashar al-Assad.

18 March

On 18 March the most serious unrest to take place in Syria for decades erupted. After online calls for a "Friday of dignity" (Arabic: جمعة الكرامة), after Friday prayers, thousands of protesters demanding an end to alleged government corruption took to the streets of cities across Syria. The protesters were met with a violent crackdown orchestrated by state security forces. The protesters chanted "God, Syria, Freedom" and anti-corruption slogans.

Amateur video footage posted on YouTube and Twitter showed large groups of protesters in several cities, such as Damascus, Daraa, Homs, Baniyas, al-Qamishli and Deir ez-Zor. In Damascus, Syrian security forces dressed as civilians broke up protests outside the Umayyad Mosque, dragging away at least two activists. In the southern city of Daraa, people chanted against Rami Makhlouf, who is the cousin of al-Assad. The regime responded with helicopters and water cannons. There were unconfirmed reports that four protesters had been killed and hundreds injured. A resident said that Syrian security forces have killed three protesters in Daraa. The Syrian Government responded by claiming that unnamed "infiltrators" had been attempting to cause chaos.

19 March

Syrian security forces fired tear gas to disperse crowds in Daraa following the funeral of two anti-government protesters killed by security forces on the previous day. The crowds had been shouting "God, Syria, freedom" before the security forces intervened. Witnesses said that the gas used appeared to be more toxic than ordinary tear gas. The Syrian League for Human Rights reported that 10 women who had been detained on 16 March following a rally outside the interior ministry had begun a hunger strike.

20 March

Thousands took to the streets in the city of Daraa for a third day, shouting slogans against the country's emergency law. One person was killed and scores injured as security forces opened fire on protesters. The courthouse, the Baath party headquarters in the city, and Rami Makhlouf's Syriatel building were all set on fire.

21 March

Protests started to spread further across the country. Thousands of people took to the streets in Daraa and troops were sent to the city. Hundreds of people protested in Jassem and there were reports of protests in Banias, Homs and Hama.

It was reported that an 11-year-old boy had died of wounds suffered when Syrian security forces dispersed a protest rally in Daraa, and meanwhile, the Beirut-based al Akhbar newspaper accused Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Saad Hariri's Future Movement of paying the Syrian protesters something that which he immediately denied.

Demonstrators in Daraa 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. al-Assad made some conciliatory gestures, but crowds continued to gather in and around the Omari mosque in Dara’a, chanting their demands: the release of all political prisoners; trials for those who shot and killed protesters; the abolition of Syria’s 48-year emergency law; more freedoms; and an end to pervasive corruption.

22 March

There were protests in Daraa, Jassem, Nawa and Sanamayn. There were also reports of protests in Inkhil and rural areas around Damascus. In Daraa, gunfire and tear gas was reported near the Omari mosque, which is a major gathering spot for protesters.

An AFP photographer and cameraman were beaten by Syrian security forces in Daraa and had their equipment seized.

Navi Pillay, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, called for an investigation into the deaths of six protesters who had been killed by Syrian security forces in March.

23 March

There were reports that at least 15 protesters had been killed by security forces in southern Syria. At least six people were killed by security forces near Al-Omari mosque in Daraa, including a doctor and a paramedic. Witnesses reported that a 12-year-old girl had been killed by security forces near the mosque.

Mobile phone connections to Daraa were cut during the day and checkpoints were set up throughout the city and manned by soldiers. Security forces were also preventing ambulances from entering the city centre, where the mosque is located.

On the evening of the 23rd there were reports that Syrian security forces had opened fire on hundreds of young protesters who had been marching towards Daraa.

24 March

Around 20,000 protesters marched at the funerals of nine protesters killed by security forces in Daraa. Syrian Human Rights Committe reported that number of deaths rised to 32, while AFP reported that more than 100 people were killed by police gunfire in Daraa. Syria freed writer Louai Hussein, who was detained earlier this week for posting a petition online demanding the right to freedom of expression

25 March

After new online calls to a big demonstration after Friday prayers named "Friday of Glory" (Arabic: جمعة العزة), tens of thousands took to the streets in protest around the nation, defying a state that has once again demonstrated its willingness to use lethal force. Military troops opened fire during protests in the southern part of Syria and killed peaceful demonstrators, according to witnesses and news reports, hurtling the strategically important nation into turmoil.

There were reports that at least 20 people were killed in protests in Daraa which drew over 100,000 people. A witness said that thousands of people chanted against the president's brother: "Maher you coward. Send your troops to liberate the Golan," A statue of Hafez al-Assad was dismantled and set on fire. The governor's home was also set on fire.

There were also reports of protests in Damascus, Deir ez-Zor, Homs, Latakia and Raqqa. There were reports that one demonstrator had been shot dead by security forces in Latakia and another had been killed in Homs. There were reports that dozens of protesters had died across the country.

A witness said that in Sanamayn, security forces killed 20 people. The official Syrian news agency said that an "armed gang" had attacked army headquarters there, that "resulted in the deaths of several attackers." The death of a civilian in Homs was blamed on an "armed group".

Most chants called for solidarity with Daraa and with the people killed there, for freedom, and against regime corruption.

In Tafas, 3 protesters were killed by security forces. In Kafr Amim, Idlib there were a fire at the Baath Party headquarters.

The Sunni cleric Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi gave a sermon in Qatar in which he stated: "Today the train of revolution has arrived at a station that it was destined to reach, the Syrian station. It isn't possible for Syria to detach itself from the history of the Arab nation." Also Syrian Shia cleric Sheikh Adnan al-Arour advised the youth of the revolution to follow the Egyptian example and endure violence without responding in kind. He voiced hope that the president will intervene and form a dialogue committee to address legitimate grievances.

AFP reported that Syrian opposition leaders-in-exile called in Paris for the downfall of President Bashar al-Assad, asking France to maintain pressure on the Syrian leader to "halt the killing of innocents." A Youtube video showed protesters packed into Ar-Rifai mosque in Damascus and chanting “God, Syria, and freedom alone.”. A leaked YouTube video purportedly filmed in the Syrian city of Homs shows security forces changing outfits to look like civilians in order to provoke anti-regime protesters, reports have said.

17 people were killed in demonstration on way to Daraa, while 40 were killed near Omari Mosque, 25 died in al-Sanameen in Homs, 4 in Latakia, 3 in Damascus.

26 March

President Bashar al-Assad began the day in what appeared to be a gesture intended to ease the crisis, when he announced the release of as many as 200 political prisoners. But by sunset, Baath Party offices were burning in at least two cities, the military was deployed in Latakia and once again government forces opened fire with live rounds, witnesses said.

In the cities of Latakia and Tafas, Baath party buildings and police stations were set on fire. Armed gangs were blamed by the authorities for attempting to destabilize the country. The Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), the government controlled news agency, claimed that an armed group seized rooftops in many areas in Latakia, opening fire on citizens and security forces personnel. Two people were killed, and thousands more protested in Daraa. Two U.S. citizens were reported to be in the custody of Syrian authorities. Mohammed Radwan, 32, a dual citizen of the U.S. and Egypt, and Pathik "Tik" Root, 21, a student at Middlebury College in Vermont, were said to have been detained for involvement in anti-government protests.

The Grand Mufti of Syria, Ahmad Bader Hassoun, said "Any citizen has the right to protest and call for freedom, but I will tell you, all those behind the bloodshed will be penalized. There are no army officials who opened fire at protesters, they only retaliated out of self-defense. After what happened, there should be reconciliation between the people. There are some corrupters in the country and the corrupters should be penalized". As a result of what happened in Homs on Friday, Iyad Ghazal, the governor of Homs was dismissed from his post. Syrian Ambassador to India resigns in protest of the massacres in Syria.

27 March

Syrian officials reported that 12 people were killed in Latakia. An Al Jazeera clip on YouTube records the imam of the Ar-Rahman Mosque in Latakia telling an Al-Jazeera broadcaster that a massacre is occurring in the city.

Buthaina Shaaban, the president's media adviser, stated that the emergency law would be lifted, without giving any indication of when that will be. She also said that the President will appear publicly to address the Syrians and to give official statements of the steps that will be taken by the government. The Reuters news agency reported that two of its journalists are missing. They were last heard of from the night before, when they were expected to cross into Lebanon from Syria. Al Arabiya reported that Syria is about to change Article 8 in the constitution that limits rule to the Baath Party. Journalists Sobhi Hasan and Zaher Alamin were rearrested.

28 March

Syrian forces fired into the air to disperse hundreds of protesters in Dara'a calling for an end to emergency laws, but demonstrators regrouped despite a heavy troop deployment, a witness said.

The Reuters news agency reported that its two missing journalists, both Lebanese nationals, had been in the custody of Syrian authorities since 26 March, but were released and they had returned to Lebanon.

Reuters also says that a foreign correspondent of theirs based in Damascus, has had his accreditation withdrawn after Syrian officials accused him of "falsifying" his reporting of the events in Syria. The news agency said that it stood by its coverage. Eye witnesses report that Youssef Abu Roumieh and Ahmad al-Moqdad, both members of the Syrian Parliament, and Abed al-Latif al-Moqdad, a member of the Baath Party general secretariat, resigned in protest against the massacres in Houran Province.

Syrian Vice President Farouk al-Sharaa told Al-Manar television on Monday that Syrian President will announce important decisions "that will make the Syrian people happy" during the next two days. Kuwaiti Sheikh Nabeel al-Awadi and Syrian Sheikh Issam al-Attar showed their support for Syrian anti-regime protests.

29 March

Hundreds of thousands demonstrated in support of President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus, Aleppo, Hasaka, Homs, Tartous and Hama. The Syrian newspaper Al-Watan reported that a major cabinet reshuffle was coming, and later that day, President Assad accepted the official resignation of the government led by Muhammad Naji al-Otari, while the latter will serve as caretaker prime minister until a new government is selected and officially announced.

Syrian actor Jamal Suliman announced via BBC that Syrian artists released a statement regarding the ongoing protests. The artists voiced the importance of "implementing reforms" and the artists’ willingness to "stand by the political system in a serious and reform journey" as well as standing with the people.

30 March

It was reported that Ayat Basma and Ezzat Baltaji two Reuters journalists had gone missing near Damascus.

President Assad made a speech blaming foreign conspirators for the cause of the protests and declaring that the emergency law will not be lifted as previously confirmed by Shaaban and instead the lift will be put to studies for future application. A YouTube video of a CNN report shows Syrian State television footage of a woman allegedly attacking Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s car following his speech on Wednesday.

Disappointed by the president's speech, protesters took to the street in Latakia, where they were fired on by police. Mass protests in Daraa to overthrow Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime following his speech and reports of five new deaths and total of 200 "martyrs" in Daraa since protests started. The investigative judge in Damascus refused to release the activist Suhair Attasi and four others.

31 March

The government announced that it was creating committees to address the protesters’ concerns but failed to promise immediate action and the move appeared unlikely to quell the rising tide of unrest. Two more Reuters journalists Suleiman al-Khalidi and Khaled al-Hariri disappeared in Syria. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad established a commission to study the termination of the emergency law in his country.

Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported that President al-Assad issued a decree raising the wages of state employees. The decision will go into effect as of 1 April.

A London-based rights group close to the Muslim Brotherhood said Thursday 25 people were killed by security forces in Latakia, northwest of the country, in a "bloodbath."

Early April 2011

1 April

After online calls for a "Friday of martyrs" (Arabic: جمعة الشهداء), thousands of protesters emerged from Friday's prayers and took to the streets in multiple cities around Syria. Security forces opened fire on about 1,000 protesters in the suburb of Damascus, Douma, killing eight. In Damascus, hundreds gathered in Al Rifai mosque to protest after Friday prayers; however, government forces reportedly sealed the mosque and attacked those who tried to leave. Further south, in a small city outside Daraa, a demonstrator was killed during a protest there.

Syrian authorities closed a border crossing between Syria and Turkey and banned Turkish and foreign reporters from entering Syria. Syrian army blocked protesters leaving Omari Mosque in Daraa from marching on Friday afternoon A Reuters correspondent was released by Syrian authorities after being held for three days.

10 people were killed at the military checkpoint between the cities of Enkhel and Sanamen in the southern province of Horan. Syrian security forces killed at least 4 people and wounded dozens when they opened fire on protesters on the town of Douma, north of Damascus.

2 April

Thousands of Druze protested in support of President Assad in the village of Buq'ata in the Golan Heights, while Syrian security forces arrested more than 20 people in Daraa and Homs, according to a human rights group. Prime Minister of Turkey Recep Erdogan said he will put pressure on Assad to create reforms.

In a leaked Youtube video that is indicated to be from 27 March, Yusef Abu Rumiyeh, a Syrian member of parliament for Daraa since 1980, held the Daraa head of the security services responsible for the killings of demonstrators in the flashpoint southern town and criticized Assad for not offering his condolences.

3 April

Syrian authorities released 50-year-old Reuters photographer Khaled al-Hariri after six days in detention.

Assad appointed Adel Safar as the new Syrian prime minister and charged him with the task of forming a new government.

AFP reported that communication networks failed in Syria on Sunday. The internet was down and cell phone communications were practically impossible, although land lines seemed to be working. AFP also reported that Syriatel and MTN, Syria's two phone companies, offered customers one hour of free calls valid between 2 and 6 April "in recognition of the people who stood with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad during the day of dignity."

4 April

Assad appointed Mohammad Khaled al-Hannus as the new governor of Daraa. Meanwhile, thousands of Syrians marched through the shuttered streets of Douma, just outside Damascus, chanting antigovernment slogans as they buried at least eight victims of the crackdown on protests held 1 April.

Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), the state news agency, reported that 8 prisoners were killed in a fire that was set by one of the prisoners in Latakia prison. Two police men were injured by the fire.

5 April

AFP reported the start of "Martyrs Week" (Arabic: أسبوع الشهداء), a series of rallies organized by the Syrian Revolution 2011 Facebook group in honor of those killed in recent security crackdowns on pro-reform demonstrations. Al Watan reported that Syrian Prime Minister-designate Adel Safar has begun his consultations with relevant parties in order to form a new cabinet for his country. 2 policemen were shot dead near Damascus by unidentified gunmen. 15 people died in protests in Kafr Batna in Syria.

6 April

Assad's government offered several unusual gestures intended to earn it good will among Sunnis and Kurds. It announced that Syria’s first and only casino, which had enraged Islamists when it opened on New Year’s Eve, would be closed. It also said that schoolteachers who had been dismissed in 2010 for wearing the niqab, a type of face veil, would be allowed back to work. Tens of thousands of Kurds residing in Syria will soon be granted Syrian citizenship.

The editor of Syrian government daily Teshreen said she is organizing talks with key opposition figures so that they can air their demands for political reforms. A politician close to the regime said that the Syrian parliament is preparing to adopt major reforms in May, including an end to emergency rule.

7 April

Syrian jurists finished drafting new legislation to replace the emergency law and presented their text to the regional leadership of the Baath Party. Human rights NGOs called on the UN Human Rights Council to pursue its mandate by responding to the ongoing crisis in Syria by convening a special session as soon as possible. Minor protests took place across Syria, but the majority of protesters prepared for large demonstrations planned for Friday.

8 April

External videos
Unknown Gunmen Filmed at Syria Demo (YouTube: Associated Press.) 8 April 2011. Retrieved 9 April 2011.

On the third Friday called "Friday of Resistance" (Arabic: جمعة الصمود), thousands of protesters took to streets in Daraa, Latakia, Tartus, Edlib, Baniyas, Qamishli, Homs and the Damascus suburb of Harasta, in the largest protest yet.

27 anti-government protesters were killed in Daraa and many other were wounded when security forces opened fire with rubber bullets and live rounds to disperse stone-throwing protesters. The clashes started when thousands of prayers staged rallies following the Friday prayers. In a telephone call one of the activists told the news agencies that demonstrators, starting from three mosques, have marched to the city's main court where they were confronted by security forces dressed in civilian clothing. A witness told Reuters he saw "snipers on roofs." It was also reported that another resident has seen "pools of blood and three bodies" in the Mahatta area of Daraa. The protesters have also smashed a stone statue of Basil al-Assad, the brother of the current President of the country, and set fire to a Ba'ath Party outpost. The state-run Syrian Television reported that 19 police officers and members of the security forces have been killed in Daraa.

At least three people were killed in Damascus's suburb city of Harasta and two people were killed and dozens wounded in Homs, Syria's third largest city. A human rights group said 37 people killed in protests across the country on Friday.

9 April

Witnesses in the city of Daraa reported that Syrian security forces fired live ammunition and tear gas at thousands of protesters who had gathered for a mass funeral near a mosque. In Latakia, witnesses said Syrian security forces used live ammunition to disperse hundreds of people who gathered to protest. Another witness said water trucks had been brought in and were hosing down the streets to wash away blood.

Mid April

10 April

The death toll of the previous day's events was up to 26 people in Daraa, 20 in the Homs neighborhood of Teldo and one in Baniyas. On 10 April's morning, militiamen alleged to be members of the shabbiha opened fire on demonstrators in front of the main mosquee of Baniyas, killing at least 4. Protests also took place in Homs, Douma and Daraa. 9 soldiers of a unit of the Syrian army were killed in an armed ambush on a road near Baniyas, including two officers, while many others were injured.

11 April

Students in the Science faculty of Damascus University, located in the Baramkeh area in Damascus, began a demonstration in which they chanted for freedom and support of the people in Daraa and Baniyas. However, the Damascus University Dean of the Faculty of Science, Dr. Mohammad Said Mahasni, denied the reports, and said instead that a number of students gathered in front of the faculty, rejecting attempts of destabilizing Syrian national security, and chanting national slogans and support for Assad. In Baniyas, funerals for the 4 protesters who were shot down by the military led to a new demonstration, and security forces attacked the city until late at night.

12 April

The day started with a confirmation that one student was beaten to death by security forces during the demonstration at Damascus University one day earlier. Witnesses reported that the suburb of Bayda in Baniyas was surrounded by tanks, and ongoing gunfire by security forces had led to dozens of injuries, while neither ambulance cars nor necessary food-aid that had been sent from the nearby city Tartus were allowed to enter the village.

13 April

Hundreds of women took part in a march demanding the release of 350 men arrested in town of Bayda. Protests also spread to Aleppo University, as security forces and students clashed on the campus of Aleppo's faculty of literature and three students were arrested. In Damascus, about 50 students staged a pro-freedom protest at the faculty of law.

14 April

Assad announced the release of hundreds of prisoners that were "not involved in criminal acts", and that a new government had been formed (see Cabinet of Syria). In the coastal city of Baniyas (Banias), the army replaced the secret police. Shortly afterwards, a sniper killed one soldier and wounded another. Assad also met with a delegation from Deraa in his first direct contact with representatives close to the protesters.

300 people protested in Suwayda.

15 April

Tens of thousands of people held protests in several Syrian cities, including Baniyas, Latakia, Baida, Homs, and Deir ez-Zor. Al Jazeera reported that up to 50,000 protesters trying to enter Damascus from the Douma suburb were dispersed by security forces using tear gas, while in the Barzeh district of the capital violence erupted when dozens of armed men in plain clothes surrounded about 250 protesters rallying in front of a mosque. On the other hand, thousands demonstrated in Daraa, but security forces were not visible in the city, as the authorities reportedly allowed the protests to take place.

16 April

Thousands of people marched in Deraa chanting anti-regime slogans, while in the Damascus suburb of Douma, 1,500 residents staged a sit-in, demanding the release of 140 people arrested a day earlier.

16 April

Thousands of people marched in Deraa chanting anti-regime slogans, while in the Damascus suburb of Douma, 1,500 residents staged a sit-in, demanding demand the release of 140 people arrested a day earlier.

On the same day, Assad spoke to the People's Assembly in a televised speech, stating that he expects his government to lift the emergency law the following, and acknowledging there is a gap between citizens and the state, and that government has to "keep up with the aspirations of the people".. Later in the day he welcomed his new cabinet with a speech containing more specifics (full text). He spoke of the importance of reaching "a state of unity, unity between the government, state institutions and the people"; stressed the need for dialogue and consultation in multiple channels, popular support, trust and transparency; explained the interrelatedness of reform and the needs of citizens for services, security and dignity. He stated the first priorities were citizenship for Kurds, lifting the state of emergency in the coming week or at the latest the week after, regulating demonstrations without chaos and sabotage, political party law, local administration law in both structure and elections, and new and modern media law, all with public timeframes. The next topics were unemployment, the economy, rural services, attracting investment, the public and private sectors, justice, corruption, petty bribery, tax reform and reducing government waste, followed by tackling government itself with more participation, e-government, decentralization, effectiveness and efficiency, as well as closer cooperation with civil society, mass organizations and trade unions.

17 April

About 300 protesters took to the streets in Suweida, but were dispersed by security forces. Reportedly, demonstrations also took place in Aleppo, Baniyas, Homs, and Hirak, mostly chanting slogans for political freedom. SANA reported seizure of a large number of weapons hidden in a lorry coming in from Iraq. Security forces opened fire on a funeral procession on a highway outside the town of Talbiseh, killing three people. In Homs, clashes between protesters and security forces took place after a tribal leader died in custody. 12 protesters were killed.

18 April

More than 10,000 demonstrators staged an anti-government sit-in in Homs, and a massive funeral procession for six demonstrators who had been killed also took place in the city. In Baniyas, about 300 children released balloons with slogans calling on Assad to leave power. A Syrian Army colonel and two of his sons were executed over his unwillingness to fire on protesters.

Reactions

Domestic

Arrests and convictions

Days before protests planned for 5 February, Syrian authorities arrested several political activists, such as businessman Ghassan al-Najar, leader of the Islamic Democratic movement, the writer Ali al-Abdallah, Abbas Abbas, from the Communist Party of Labour and several other political personalities of Kurdish backgrounds, such as Adnan Mustafa.

On 14 February, blogger and student Tal al-Mallohi was convicted of spying for the United States and sentenced to five years in prison. Washington denied these allegations and asked for al-Mallohi's immediate release. On 15 February under pressure from human rights organizations, the Syrian government released Ghassan al-Najjar, a "veteran Islamist activist" after he went on hunger strike following his arrest for calling for mass protests.

On 22 March Syrian authorities arrested Loay Hussein, a prominent human rights campaigner. On 25 March there were reports of mass arrests and detentions of protesters taking place.

Censorship

On 5 February, Internet services were said to have been curbed, although Facebook and YouTube were reported to have been restored on 8 February. Suggestions were made that easing the ban could be a way to track activists.

Concessions

On 19 March, Assad issued a decree shortening the length of mandatory army conscription from 21 months to 18 months.

On 20 March, the Syrian government announced that it would release 15 children who had been arrested on 6 March for writing pro-democracy graffiti.

On 22 March, Daraa Governor Faisal Kalthoum was dismissed.

On 24 March, the President's media adviser, Buthaina Shaaban, said that the government will be "studying the possibility of lifting the emergency law and licensing political parties". The Syrian government also announced a cut in personal taxation rates, an increase in public sector salaries of 1,500 Syrian pounds ($32.60 US) a month. and pledges to increase press freedom, create more employment opportunities, and reduce corruption.

On 26 March, Syrian authorities freed more than 200 political prisoners – 70 according to other sources - mostly Islamists, held in Saidnaya prison.

On 27 March, Bouthaina Shaaban confirmed that the emergency law will be lifted, but did not say when.

On 29 March, the Syrian Government submitted its official resignation to the President.

On 31 March, the President set up a committee of legal experts to study legislation that would pave the way to replacing decades-old emergency laws. The committee was to complete its study by 25 April. Assad also set up a judicial committee tasked with investigating the circumstances that led to the death of Syrian civilians and security forces in the cities of Daraa and Latakia.

On 6 April, it was reported that teachers would once again be allowed to wear the niqab, and that the government has closed the country's only casino.

On 7 April, Assad relieved the Governor of Homs province from his duties and issued a decree granting nationality to thousands of Kurds living in the eastern al Hasakah province while the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the 48 Kurds were released, more than a year after they were arrested in the eastern city of Raqqa. This came a day after Assad met with Kurdish tribal leaders to discuss citizenship issues concerning the Kurds of Syria’s north-eastern provinces, as hundreds of thousands of Kurds were stripped of their citizenship rights as a result of the 1962 national census.

On 16 April, Assad spoke before the People's Assembly and afterwards to his new cabinet (full text), outlining his goals.

Counter-demonstrations

On 22 March there were reports in The Guardian that the Syrian authorities had been organising pro-Assad rallies and distributing propaganda blaming the unrest on saboteurs and infiltrators. On 25 March, pro-Assad rallies were held in Damascus.

Other

On 8 March, SANA, the official Syrian news agency, published an article on its website titled "President al-Assad issued a decree provides for a legislative grant amnesty for political crimes committed before the date of 2011-03-08". Three hours later, the publication was removed. Hours later, Syrian authorities released Haitham al-Maleh, an 80-year-old former judge, one of al-Assad's most outspoken critics, under an amnesty marking the anniversary of the 1963 coup which brought the Baath Party to power. Twelve Syrian human rights organisations called on the government to scrap the state of emergency which has stifled civil society for almost 50 years.

On 12 March, newly released regime critic Haitham al-Maleh announced in a YouTube video his support and assistance to the Syrian youth who are behind the new wave of protests and hoped that he will soon see democracy in Syria.

On 16 February regime critic and director of the Organisation for Democracy and Freedom in Syria (ODFS) Ribal al-Assad, son of Rifaat al-Assad and cousin to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, held a press conference in London, in which he made it clear that he "does not want to see a Syrian revolution, but a peaceful change of power". On April 5th interview, Ribal al-Assad warned of Syria's risk for a civil war, saying

Everyone in Syria has seen what is happening in Arab countries but in Syria there are many minorities. Everyone has arms and everyone will want to defend their own people. It is like what happened in Iraq.

International

Supranational

• European Union – On 22 March, Catherine Ashton, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, issued a statement which said that the European Union "strongly condemns the violent repression, including through the use of live ammunition, of peaceful protests in various locations across Syria".
• UN – On 18 March, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon described the use of deadly force against protesters by the Syrian authorities as "unacceptable".

States

Demonstration in Montreal on 27 March, in solidarity with the anti-regime protestors

Rally in support of Bashar al-Assad in Sydney

• Australia – On 25 March, Australian foreign minister Kevin Rudd said: "we are deeply sceptical about the official explanations as to what has happened with the various killings which have occurred in Daraa .... And we call directly on the Syrian Government to exercise restraint in their response to peaceful protest seeking democratic change."
• Canada – On 21 March, Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon stated: "Canada deplores the multiple deaths and injuries following protests in several Syrian cities over the weekend."
• France – The Foreign Ministry condemned the violence carried out against demonstrators, and called for political prisoners to be freed. On 23 March, French foreign ministry spokesman Bernard Valero called on Syria to carry out immediate political reforms.
• Germany – On 24 March, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said: "The violence must end immediately. The Syrian government must make sure that basic human and civil rights, as well as the rule of law, is observed,"
• Greece – On 24 March, Greek Foreign Minister Dimitrios Droutsas said: "The use of violence to repress protests that has led to the murder of citizens is absolutely condemned. We call on the government of Syria to guarantee the fundamental rights of its citizens".
• Iraq – On 3 April, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki called Syria's President and voiced Iraq’s support of Syria "in the face of conspiracies targeting Syria’s stability".
• Israel – On 24 March, Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs Avigdor Lieberman said: "the same principles, activities the Western world [has taken] in Libya ... I hope to see those regarding the Iranian regime and the Syrian regime."
• Kuwait – On 27 March, Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah called Syrian President al-Assad to voice his country’s support for Syria.
• Lebanon – On 31 March, Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati commended the "ending of the chance to cause strife in Syria" as well as the Syrian people’s support for their president Also, President Michel Suleiman highlighted the importance of stability in Syria, and its positive impact on the security of and economic situation in Lebanon and Syria.
• Norway – On 24 March, Norwegian minister of foreign affairs Jonas Gahr Støre condemned the violence, saying: "Norway urges the authorities of Syria not to use violence against peaceful protesters, to respect the freedom of speech and assembly, and to enter into a dialogue with the people about their legitimate demands".
• Qatar – On 3 April, Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani sent a letter to Syrian President al-Assad voicing Qatar’s support for Syria amid attempts at destabilization.
• Russia – On 6 April, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev called al-Assad to voice support for the latter’s decision to make reforms in his country.
• Saudi Arabia – On 28 March, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia expressed his support to the Syrian leadership in a telephone conversation with President al-Assad, claiming that the protests are in fact a conspiracy targeting the legitimate government. Relations between Syria and Saudi Arabia have been strained and even hostile for decades. However, the position of the Saudi monarch is an indication of their recent improvement.
• Sudan – On 6 April, Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir called al-Assad to voice his support for Syria against "the attempts aimed at destabilizing it".
• Turkey – On 21 March, Turkish foreign minister Ahmet Davutoğlu said: "Syria is on an important threshold. We hope problems between the people and the administration [in Syria] can be handled without trouble."
• United Arab Emirates – On 29 March, United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan called Syrian President al-Assad, and reaffirmed that the UAE stands by Damascus.
• United Kingdom – On 24 March, British Foreign Secretary William Hague said: "We call on the government of Syria to respect their people's right to peaceful protest, and to take action about their legitimate grievances,"
• United States – President Barack Obama's administration condemned the use of violence, stating: “The United States stands for a set of universal rights, including the freedom of expression and assembly, and believes that governments, including the Syrian government, must address the legitimate aspirations of their people." Secretary of State Hillary Clinton stated that it was unlikely the US would intervene in Syria, since the US Congress views Assad as "a reformer". On 9 April, it was reported that Obama had said:

  I strongly condemn the abhorrent violence committed against peaceful protesters by the Syrian government today and over the past few weeks. I also condemn any use of violence by protesters ... I call upon the Syrian authorities to refrain from any further violence against peaceful protesters ... Furthermore, the arbitrary arrests, detention, and torture of prisoners that has been reported must end now, and the free flow of information must be permitted so that there can be independent verification of events on the ground ... Violence and detention are not the answer to the grievances of the Syrian people. It is time for the Syrian government to stop repressing its citizens, and to listen to the voices of the Syrian people calling for meaningful political and economic reforms.

• Venezuela – It was reported on 26 March that Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez had said: "Now some supposed political protest movements have begun [in Syria], a few deaths ... and now they are accusing the president of killing his people and later the Yankees will come to bomb the people to save them ... How cynical is the new format the empire has invented, to generate violent conflict, generate blood in a country, to later bombard it, intervene and take over its natural resources and convert it into a colony."

NGOs

• Amnesty International condemned the "violent crackdown", against "a peaceful protest" by people calling for the release of political prisoners.
• Human Rights Watch stated that the Syrian government has shown "no qualms about shooting dead its own citizens for speaking out." It also said that Syrian people have shown "incredible courage in daring to protest publicly against one of the most repressive governments in the region, and they shouldn't have to pay with their lives."

Individuals

Egyptian Islamist, Muslim Brotherhood-linked scholar Yusuf al-Qaradawi declared his support for the protests against what he called Syria's "oppresive regime", saying "atrocities" were committed by it. He called for victory against the ruling Ba'ath Party, and claimed the army would be the major factor in the revolt. Qaradawi said all Arabs should back the protests in Syria, saying "Today the train of revolution has reached a station that it had to reach: The Syria station", and "It is not possible for Syria to be separated from the history of the Arab community". The Muslim Brotherhood assisted in the protests, Islamic clergy called on Sunnis to pour onto the streets throughout Syria and expel the Alawi regime, and Qaradawi called on the Sunnis of Syria to claim their rights from the regime.

Media

Under criticism from Internet activists for failing to acknowledge the Syrian protests, Al Jazeera broadcast special coverage of the Hama massacre, as well as analysis of the largest opposition parties in Syria which might have great political influence in any change of power: the Syrian People's Democratic Party, Muslim Brotherhood, National Salvation Front, Movement for Justice and Development, Reform Party, Arab Socialist Movement, Arab Socialist Union, Workers Revolutionary Party, Communist Party of Labour, and others. On 9 March, Al Jazeera continued its reporting with analysis of opinion detainees in Syria, and two days later another special report said that many activists indicated displeasure that the general decree of amnesty did not include political prisoners. Finally, Aljazeera lunched a page for Syrian revolt as part of their "Arab Revolution Spring" portal..

On 23 March a column was published in The Daily Telegraph by Con Coughlin, the newspaper's executive foreign editor, calling for the creation of a no-fly zone over Syria to protect innocent protesters.

See also

• 1970 Syrian Corrective Revolution
• 1999 Latakia protests
• List of freedom indices
• List of modern conflicts in the Middle East
• Politics of Syria

Further reading

• Lawson, Fred Haley, ed. (2009). Demystifying Syria. London: Saqi. ISBN 9780863566547.
• Ziadeh, Radwan (2011). Power and Policy in Syria: Intelligence Services, Foreign Relations and Democracy in the Modern Middle East. London: I.B. Tauris. ISBN 9781848854345.

External links

• The Syrian Revolution 2011 الثورة السورية ضد بشار الاسد Facebook page
• Syria Unrest collected coverage with live blog at Al Jazeera English
• Syrian civil war collected news and commentary at The Guardian
• Live updates on Syria’s uprising at NOW Lebanon
• Syria protests (2011) collected coverage at The New York Times
• Syria Comment by Joshua Landis.