And Tunisia, the Syrian revolt began with a discussion between a seller and a policeman. On 17 February, an old market trader from Damascus was vexed by an agent and hundreds of people took his side, shouting against corruption and abuse of power. Was the starting point of a string of protests. On Friday, police killed at least three protesters in the city of Dera, near Jordan.
Yesterday, the police attacked with tear gas canisters at the crowd that attended the funerals of three victims. Funeral services were held on the outskirts of Dera and brought together several thousand people chanting the phrase "God, Syria, Freedom" and hurled criticism at the government of President Bashar Assad.
Security forces cut off access to Deraa and charged the demonstration. Testimony cited by France Presse said there were several injuries and at least one detainee. At dusk, the government sent helicopters and police reinforcements to Deraa. An official statement blamed "infiltrators" of firing on the crowd in the riots on Friday and announced an investigation.
The protests in recent days were the most serious challenge to the regime of the Assad since he began in Tunisia in December widespread revolt and, in varying degrees, all Arab and North African countries. On Thursday, were imprisoned and prosecuted 32 people, accused of causing "damage to the reputation of the state." In Homs, Banias and the capital, Damascus, ended Friday prayers in demonstrations that were dispersed by security forces.
Until just a month ago it was considered unlikely that the revolt pinned to Syria, given the nature of the regime. President al-Assad, who inherited the post from his father in 2000, enjoyed a relative popularity, and the Baath party regime only left so few traces of freedom that any attempt to revolt seemed doomed.
The country remains under a state of emergency since 1963 and the secret police dominates all areas. Freedom of expression in regard to politics and criticism of the regime in particular, is practically nil. But finally there was spread, encouraged by the deterioration of an economy based on inefficient public sector and a growing debt. 
Yesterday, the police attacked with tear gas canisters at the crowd that attended the funerals of three victims. Funeral services were held on the outskirts of Dera and brought together several thousand people chanting the phrase "God, Syria, Freedom" and hurled criticism at the government of President Bashar Assad.
Security forces cut off access to Deraa and charged the demonstration. Testimony cited by France Presse said there were several injuries and at least one detainee. At dusk, the government sent helicopters and police reinforcements to Deraa. An official statement blamed "infiltrators" of firing on the crowd in the riots on Friday and announced an investigation.
The protests in recent days were the most serious challenge to the regime of the Assad since he began in Tunisia in December widespread revolt and, in varying degrees, all Arab and North African countries. On Thursday, were imprisoned and prosecuted 32 people, accused of causing "damage to the reputation of the state." In Homs, Banias and the capital, Damascus, ended Friday prayers in demonstrations that were dispersed by security forces.
Until just a month ago it was considered unlikely that the revolt pinned to Syria, given the nature of the regime. President al-Assad, who inherited the post from his father in 2000, enjoyed a relative popularity, and the Baath party regime only left so few traces of freedom that any attempt to revolt seemed doomed.
The country remains under a state of emergency since 1963 and the secret police dominates all areas. Freedom of expression in regard to politics and criticism of the regime in particular, is practically nil. But finally there was spread, encouraged by the deterioration of an economy based on inefficient public sector and a growing debt.
No comments:
Post a Comment