# Syria deploys troops to put down protesters **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [March 21, 2011, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/syria-deploys-troops-to-put-down-protesters/575522 "2011-03-21T21:59:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2011, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/syria-deploys-troops-to-put-down-protesters/575522/1 "2011-03-21T21:59:42Z")
[Things heat up in Syria.](http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/03/201132112130110767.html) Some people, and some peoples, just do not understand the concept of “Wait your turn.” :mad: The Libyans had the consideration to start their revolution after the Egyptian one was finished. > [@](#): > > Syrian troops have been deployed in the southern city of Daraa a day after an anti-government protester was killed when forces reportedly fired on a demonstration. > > News agencies, citing residents, said that thousands of Syrians marched on Monday in the town following the funeral of Raed Akrad, the killed protester. > > A resident told the AFP news agency that “mass of demonstrators started to march from the cemetery towards al-Omari mosque after the burial”. > > Demonstrators chanted “Just God, Syria and Freedom,” and “Revolution, revolution” according to the resident. > > Another witness said security forces had been deployed to block protests, but people had gathered regardless. > > However Rula Amin, Al Jazeera’s correspondent in Daraa, said the situation on Monday was “very tense but it is quiet”. > > “There are a lot of security, the army as well as police, there are a lot of checkpoints. But we didn’t see any protests, people told us there was a funeral this morning but it ended with no clashes,” she said. > > Activists said an 11-year-old boy died on Monday after injuries he suffered when security forces dispersed an earlier demonstrations in the city. I don’t think this unrest is going to escalate to Libya-level or to Egypt-level or even to Bahrain-level, just because Assad has a better army than Gaddafi had and a better grip on it than Mubarak had, but I welcome contrary arguments. ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2011, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/syria-deploys-troops-to-put-down-protesters/575522/2 "2011-03-22T21:55:26Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > [Things heat up in Syria.](http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/03/201132112130110767.html) Some people, and some peoples, just do not understand the concept of “Wait your turn.” :mad: The Libyans had the consideration to start their revolution after the Egyptian one was finished. > > I don’t think this unrest is going to escalate to Libya-level or to Egypt-level or even to Bahrain-level, just because Assad has a better army than Gaddafi had and a better grip on it than Mubarak had, but I welcome contrary arguments. Well, now we know the reason [they were one of only 2](http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12723554) Arab League countries that didn’t support the NFZ over Libya. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2011, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/syria-deploys-troops-to-put-down-protesters/575522/3 "2011-03-23T00:19:57Z")
> [@Shayna](#): > > Well, now we know the reason [they were one of only 2](http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12723554) Arab League countries that didn’t support the NFZ over Libya. The other being Algeria, which [has its own problems](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010%E2%80%932011_Algerian_protests) in similar regard. But, apparently, Yemen and Bahrain and Oman, also having unrest, supported it; not sure why. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2011, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/syria-deploys-troops-to-put-down-protesters/575522/4 "2011-03-23T00:49:16Z")
[The situation seems serious in Syria,](http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/03/2011322155925612161.html) whether serendipitously or sorrowfully. > [@](#): > > Hundreds of protesters have gathered in the southern Syrian towns of Daraa and Nawa as the United Nations’ human rights chief called for a probe into a weekend crackdown which left six people dead. > > Daraa, the capital of Daraa governate, has been the site of unprecedented protests since Friday, with demonstrators demanding the end of the government of Bashar al-Assad, the president. > > “Around 1,000 protesters gathered in and around the Omari mosque shouting anti-regime slogans, amid a heavy security and army presence,” an activist in Daraa, who wished to remain anonymous, said. > > The activist said the protesters in the town, a traditional home to large tribal families, had formed a human shield around the mosque on Tuesday to prevent security forces from approaching it. ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2011, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/syria-deploys-troops-to-put-down-protesters/575522/5 "2011-03-23T02:51:17Z")
Syria has other components, to consider. First of all Syria has a powerful influence in Lebanon still. You destabilize Syria and Lebanon is effected. This is gonna make Israel nervous and you have the potential for a mess. Syria and Jordan have never been best of buddies either. Syria and Turkey have border disputes. Now this doesn’t mean that I consider the government of Syria a good thing, but it’s one thing to consider and add into the debate. ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2011, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/syria-deploys-troops-to-put-down-protesters/575522/6 "2011-03-23T03:40:01Z")
It seems to me that the more destabilized Syria is, the less able to mess up in Lebanon it will be. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2011, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/syria-deploys-troops-to-put-down-protesters/575522/7 "2011-03-25T16:41:17Z")
[20 more protesters killed in Daraa.](http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/03/2011325145817688433.html) Nobody’s even demanding Assad or the Ba’ath Party go, they just want reforms – less corruption, more transparency. The government has promised to “study” legalizing political parties, and lifting the emergency rule that has been in place since 1963. ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2011, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/syria-deploys-troops-to-put-down-protesters/575522/8 "2011-03-26T17:40:05Z")
I just saw on TV a video of protesters putting down a statue of Assad (the dad, not the current one). Those people get guts. I barely dare to hope this revolution too will suceed. ---
**Author:** ![flickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7bcc69/32.png) [@flickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flickster)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2011, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/syria-deploys-troops-to-put-down-protesters/575522/9 "2011-03-26T19:59:47Z")
So, when do we start bombing Syria? ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2011, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/syria-deploys-troops-to-put-down-protesters/575522/10 "2011-03-26T20:33:45Z")
That won’t happen. The U.S. attacks Syria, Syria attacks Israel, Israel couter-attacks, and then you’ve got a full-scale war. \*Nobody \*wants that. ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2011, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/syria-deploys-troops-to-put-down-protesters/575522/11 "2011-03-26T23:24:27Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > That won’t happen. > > The U.S. attacks Syria, Syria attacks Israel, Israel couter-attacks, and then you’ve got a full-scale war. \*Nobody \*wants that. Even though you’re most certainly better informed than me about the local situation, I don’t really see how attacking Israel would make much sense in case of American bombings (I’m assuming here you’re refering to a ground attack, not to missiles). Anyway, I must admit that an American attack (necessarily not backed by the UN this time) would result in total destabilization of the region with who knows what results. Well…academic, anyway ☹ There’s no way it’s going to happen. That’s when not being an atheist would come in handy. At least, one could pray for the rioters or something. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2011, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/syria-deploys-troops-to-put-down-protesters/575522/12 "2011-03-27T21:03:34Z")
[Syrian government says emergency law will be lifted (but gives no timetable).](http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/03/201132711553545999.html) It has been in place since 1963. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2011, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/syria-deploys-troops-to-put-down-protesters/575522/13 "2011-03-27T21:28:51Z")
Well, it’s not like they haven’t established a [precedent](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hama_massacre). ---
**Author:** ![FinnAgain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finnagain/32/12500_2.png) [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2011, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/syria-deploys-troops-to-put-down-protesters/575522/14 "2011-03-27T21:49:15Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > Well, it’s not like they haven’t established a [precedent](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hama_massacre). Not only did they obliterate much of Hama, but afterward, [they actually wanted other Syrians to go there and witness the price of rebellion.](http://www.mafhoum.com/press2/63P58.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2011, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/syria-deploys-troops-to-put-down-protesters/575522/15 "2011-03-27T22:19:14Z")
> [@clairobscur](#): > > Even though you’re most certainly better informed than me about the local situation, I don’t really see how attacking Israel would make much sense in case of American bombings (I’m assuming here you’re referring to a ground attack, not to missiles). Attacking Israel instantly turns the Assad regime into the defenders of the homeland, and the protesters into Zionist fellow travelers. It also wins Syria support from throughout the Muslim world, including perhaps a division or two of Iranian troops to “help them out”. Of course, it’ll also mean they’ll get their asses kicked, but if they’re already being bombed by NATO, what do they have to lose? Anyway, I \*was \*referring to missiles - but just because it starts with missiles, doesn’t mean it’ll end with them. If Tel Aviv comes under fire, Israel won’t hesitate to send in the ground troops. Of course, maybe I’m just being pessimistic (it’s our national pastime). Still, I’d be very wary of outside intervention in Syria. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2011, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/syria-deploys-troops-to-put-down-protesters/575522/16 "2011-03-29T13:26:55Z")
[Syrian Cabinet resigns.](http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110329/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_syria) (Assad remains.) ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2011, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/syria-deploys-troops-to-put-down-protesters/575522/17 "2011-03-30T16:38:34Z")
[Assad blames the unrest on “conspirators”](http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/03/20113308737507793.html) but, so far as I can see, does not further identify or characterize these conspirators or their agenda. 😕 > [@](#): > > Al Jazeera’s Cal Perry, reporting from Damascus said the address is “without a doubt the most important speech of [Assad’s] career”. > > “People want to see an end to corruption. But on the street, people are also saying ‘We want to see reforms, but we want to see Bashar al-Assad stay in power’,” our correspondent said. > > Assad was expected to use the address to discuss a string of reforms announced last week, amid a wave of dissent and protests demanding more freedoms. But he failed to elaborate on any such reforms. > > The speech came a day after the country’s cabinet resigned. > > Naji al-Otari, the resigning premier, has been chosen by Assad as caretaker prime minister. Otari has been prime minister since 2003. > > The government has little power in Syria, where power is concentrated in the hands of Assad, his family and the security apparatus. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2011, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/syria-deploys-troops-to-put-down-protesters/575522/18 "2011-04-18T20:23:42Z")
CNN reports the Syrian government forces have killed at least 24 protesters, probably more, in Homs. And the protest there ain’t stoppin’. ---
**Author:** ![guizot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guizot/32/3636_2.png) [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2011, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/syria-deploys-troops-to-put-down-protesters/575522/19 "2011-04-22T19:59:48Z")
Fifty more killed today (Good Friday). It seems that Assad is done with token gestures and wants all of this “nonsense” to stop. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2011, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/syria-deploys-troops-to-put-down-protesters/575522/20 "2011-05-13T03:26:53Z")
And Syria is **still** deploying troops to put down protesters. Saw a clip on Anderson Cooper tonight, where some guys had to take cover from police gunfire and brave it to try to retrieve their friend who was lying shot in the street, but alive. While the police kept shooting at them. Cooper explained this is because it is now government/police/military policy not to allow the bodies of anyone shot down in the protests to be retrieved, alive or dead, because the funerals of persons killed in protests keep turning into fresh protests. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/syria-deploys-troops-to-put-down-protesters/575522.md?page=2)