No More Peace! Massacre or Civil War?

Over the last few days Syria has gone more violent than ever. In what can only be described by witness as massacre and urban warfare, Syrian troops have begun systematically clearing the suburbs of Damascus of any signs of opposition, whether it be armed or not. Some news sources have posted pictures of children slain, reportedly by the Syrian army and security forces, who have brought in tanks to crush the protesters and rebels alike.

Violence is not isolated in the capital though, and is seen in Homs and many other cities throughout the country. Death tolls are thought to be well over 100 since Friday, marking the bloodiest days of the opposition.

The Arab League has responded by announcing that they will put out their observers, a move which Syria has condemned. Syria states that the removal of the observers will only bring about more violence as it will encourage the rebels. The Arab League, mostly just fears for the safety of the observers, and realizes how ineffective they have been. Originally they had been sent in hopes that their presence would bring an end to violence, but it has only gotten worse since the arrived. Under the original agreement for observers, Assad's government was to, "cease all violence against civilians, free political detainees, remove tanks and weapons from cities and allow outsiders, including the international news media, to travel freely in Syria". Very little of which happened.

The United Nations is considering a resolution which would fully support an Arab League resolution which was passed last week. The Arab League's resolution requires that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad resign from his office and turn power over to his vice president. They furthermore called for the Syrian government to start a dialogue with the opposition within two weeks and for a unity government to be formed within two months. The temporary government would then have three months to write a new constitution and then hold parliamentary and presidential elections. The latest violence by the Syrian regime, seems to be to try and regain control before the UN could make any decision.

Either way, any UN resolution has little hope for passing as Russia has pledged to block anything that involves a demand for change of government or sanctions. Wednesday, Russia signed an agreement to sell jets to the Syrian government.