syria eastern world and civilizations 2013-14. first some background on syria…
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Syria Eastern World and Civilizations 2013-14
First Some Background on Syria…
Map of Syria
Geographic location:3
www.sacouncil.com
Background Information
Syrian Republic is exactly 80 years old (established 1932)
Gained independence from France 1946
Multi party democracy for 3 years 1946-1949
USA sponsored military coup d'état led by Hussni Alzaim
Political instability between 1949- 1954
Multi party democracy 1954-1958
Union with Egypt 1958-1961
Military coup that brought the Baath party to power 1963 till NOW
Under Baath pretext Hafiz Assad military coup in 1970
Hafez Assad ruled Syria for 30 years 1970-2000
Bashar Assad inherited the Republic in 2000 and has been ruling Syria since then
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Syrian American Council www.sacouncil.com
Background Information
Prior to WWII Syria was a French colony, that gained independence
They constantly go through a cycle of leaders, who are backed by the army/ Muslim group, then overthrown by a queue
The Assad family has been in power since the 60’s Hafez al-Assad was the “president” and groomed his
first son to take the position The first son died
Background Information
So they turned to Bashar… Bashar inherited the republic after his dad died
in 2000. The Parliament amended the constitution,
reducing the mandatory minimum age of the President from 40 to 34 to allow Bashar to become legally eligible for nomination
97.29 % Referendum !!
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Syrian American Council www.sacouncil.com
Current Syria
Current Syria
About 110,000 Syrians have been killed; 1.5 million have had to flee due to war
Current Syria
There is still unrest in Syria and the use of chemical weapons has been brought to the forefront Israeli forces are still attacking them
Rebels are fighting the government still, even killing government personal
Several investigations have showed that there still is the use chemical warfare in Syria cause hundreds of fatalities of men, women, and children
The US has expressed that they are ready to order a strike but the U.K. parliament has been fighting it
Syrians are clearly losing to the government
The country itself is falling apart, its losing unity and identity
Events in Syria 2013 The U.N.'s refugee agency reports that over 1.5 million Syrians have left
their country to escape the war
European Union nations end the arms embargo against the Syrian rebels (May 27, 2013 )
The Obama Administration says that Syria has crossed a 'red line' with its use of chemical weapons, including the nerve agent sarin gas, against rebels
It will be stepping up its support of the rebels, who have been calling for the United States and others to provide arms need to battle al-Assad's forces (June 13, 2013 )
Assad will not step down
Events in Syria 2013
Ghassan Hitto is now the prime minister of The National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces (March 19, 2013 )
Ahmad Assi Jarba is now the new leader of the Syrian National Coalition (July 6, 2013 )
May 5 2013 Israeli forces conducted an airstrike in Syria targeted at a research a research facility in mountains near Damascus as well as one the previous week
In August a research team was sent into Syria to investigate the use of chemical weapons
Claims that chemical weapons were used on civilians in an attack outside of Damascus
1,400 people were killed
Cause for the Syrian Revolution
Cause for the Syrian Revolution Political instability has been a problem for Syria since 1946,
when it gained its independence from France
A civil war has been long in the making ever since Assad came to power
In February 2011, 15 school students in Daraa were arrested due to painting a revolution slogan, “As-Shaab / Yoreed / Eskaat el nizam!” (meaning “The people/ want/ to topple the regime!”) on school walls
The schoolboys were taken into custody where they were beaten, burned, and had their fingernails pulled by a “secret police” headed by Gen. Atef Najeeb, a cousin of President Bashar al-Assad
March 15, 2011 - Activists call for a Day of Rage across Syria, inspired by other popular uprisings across the Arab world
In these demonstrations, Syrian addressed their unhappiness with Assad and were asking for democratic reforms
Cause for the Syrian Revolution
Government security forces didn’t like this, responded with:
Kidnapping
Torture
Killing- troops even opened fire on protesters who then fired back
OnMarch 18, 5 people were killed as security forces dispersed crowds in the southern town of Daraa (this was the first of many deadly attacks reported in the uprising).
Over the next days, Daraa was reported sealed off, with no one allowed to enter.
Cause for the Syrian Revolution On March 25, troops opened fire on protesters in several cities
and crowds clash on the streets of the capital of Damascus
Over 100,000 people reportedly marched in Daraa and about 20 protesters were reportedly killed
So the Syrian people decided to organize and arm themselves to fight back
The government really didn’t like this and so the military started destroying entire neighborhoods and towns
From a here, a war broke out and has been going on for about 2 years
If in 2011 someone told you that a civil war broke out in the US would you
ever believe that it had it could have lasted for over 2 years? What would your
response have been?
Key Players of the Revolution
Key PlayersPresident Bashar al-Assad
President of Syria
When first brought to power, promised of reformations to get rid of corruption and modernize Syria
Provided support to militant groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah and Islamic Jihad
Has been proved that opposition to Assad’s regime have been imprisoned, tortured, and killed
In 2011 his brutal policies drove citizens over the edge
His regime has been the opposition of Syrian rebels
Key PlayersPresident Bashar al-Assad
When he came into power the people of Syria were ready for change
Hafez al-Assad was a very oppressive ruler When Bashar came into power he wanted to make social and
educational reforms He wanted to rule a literate society, that was technologically
advanced Bashar was not raised to rule over people. To prepare him better,
Hafez, his father, made sure he was surrounded by elders. Bashar would act as a figure-head, while the experienced seniors made the decisions.
Key PlayersPresident Bashar al-Assad
Hafez al –Assad was known to act violently when experienced adversity.
He crushed any up-risings that might thwart his success as a leader.
In 1982, the Hama Massacre left 2,000-5,000 people dead, including soldiers, civilians, and insurgents.
Key Players Syrian Opposition
Group of rebels trying to overcome Assad’s regime
Syrian National Coalition for Opposition and Revolutionary Forces
Formed in 2012
Lead by Ahmad Jarba as of July
Wanted to bring together people of different religious sects to oppose Assad
FSA (Free Syrian Army)
Violent opposition to Assad
There is no unity between the members except that they are all just men with guns
Lacked a good leader
Key Players
Jihadist groups
Terrorist group fighting against the government
Declared loyalty to Al-Queda, but haven't officially joined
US
Has voiced that they are supporting Syrian rebels but have done little about due to the fragile situation
Us has sent in some weapons to the rebels
Have held several investigations against Syrian government about the use of chemical weapons
Key Players
UN Security Council
split on how to intervene
Russia and China have blocked efforts by Western countries pass harsh sanctions.
Unable to come to an agreement on how to respond to August 2013 accusations of chemical weapons use by Assad's regime
Saudi Arabia and Qatar
Saudi Arabia is supplying weapons for its own personal reasons
Sunni Muslim Saudi Arabia hate Shia Iran, so they are using the war to weaken it
Qatar is attempting to befriend Syria in hope that one day they will be able to help Qatar
Main events
Main Events
April 21, 2011 - Al-Assad lifted the country's 48-year-old state of emergency
He also abolished the Higher State Security Court and issued a decree "regulating the right to peaceful protest, as one of the basic human rights guaranteed by the Syrian Constitution.“
May 18, 2011 - The U.S. imposed sanctions against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and six other senior Syrian officials
"As a result of this action, any property in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons in which the individuals listed in the Annex have an interest is blocked, and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them."
Main Events These sanctions however do not stop the violence in Syria
In August after several days of violence in the city of Hama, the epicenter of anti-regime protests, hundreds are left dead by Syrian security forces
Corpses are scattered in the streets and hospitals are overwhelmed with casualties
Even though the revolution is only five months in, several countries are already express their unhappieness with the events in Syria
The United States, Britain, France and Germany and the European Union demand that Assad resign, saying he is unfit to lead
Little do they know the worst is yet to come
Main Events In response to the violence, several countries stopped imports from Syria
August 18, 2011 - The U.S froze Syrian government assets in the U.S.
Americans were unable to make new investments in the country and any U.S. transactions relating to Syrian petroleum products, among other things, were prohibited
September 2011 - The European Union banned the import of Syrian oil
imposed additional sanctions against Syria, due to "the continuing brutal campaign" by the government against its own people.
October 2, 2011 - The Syrian National Council was established
Due to the violence against citizens, Arab Leagues suspends Syria's membership in November 2011
Main Events
On December 19, 2011 Syria signed an Arab League proposal aimed at ending violence between government forces and protesters
It clearly has not had the effect they were hoping it to
For the next several months thousands s will be killed in various attacks against the rebels (aprox. 5,000)
It isnt till December 23, 2011tthat the next suicide attack is seen
Two car bombs explode near intelligence agency compounds in Damascus, killing 44 people
Exactly two weeks after this bombing in another explosion rips through a busy intersection and police bus in the capital, killing at least 25 people
Main EventsThe Violence Only Worsens
This violence only worsens as time goes on, so much so that on January 28, 2012 The Arab League had to suspend its mission in Syria as violence there continues
Over a 100 people had been killed in only THREE days
A few months later the (Feb. 6, 2012) The Obama administration also closed the US Embassy in Damascus and pulled all American diplomats out of Syria due to the violence
Several times the UN Security Council tried to intervene in Syria, but Russia and China continually vetoed all attempts
Main Events
March 15, 2012 - On the first anniversary of the start of the uprising, thousands march in a pro-Assad rally in Damascus
Tanks and snipers continue to besiege Daraa
More than 8,000 have been killed in the crackdown.
Main EventsUN Intervention
About 3 months later, The U.N. Security Council authorized up to 300 unarmed military observers for a 90-day mission in Syria
The monitors are tasked with observing a cease-fire that was supposed to go into effect April 12
In addition, observers are tasked with supporting the implementation of Annan's peace plan, which also calls for access for humanitarian groups, the release of arbitrarily arrested detainees and the start of a political dialogue.
Annan’s peace plan: Kofi Annan's plan to end violence, give access to humanitarian agencies, release detainees, and start a political dialogue to address the concerns of the Syrian people
Unfortunately this plan had to be abandoned in June due to the danger of the mission
Main Events
In July, top Assad aides killed in bombing
The massacre of roughly 200 people in Tresmeh, a small Syrian farming village, ignites international criticism on July 13, with reports claiming heavy weaponry was used against civilians
The Free Syria Army responds five days later, on July 18, taking responsibility for the bombing of the National Security building in Damascus that killed top members of President Assad’s government.
On July 23, 2012 the first official reference to chemical weapons is made
The Syrian Foreign Ministry spokesman, Jihad Makdissi, threatens to use chemical and biological weapons against outside forces
"No chemical or biological weapons will ever be used, ... unless Syria is exposed to external aggression."
Main EventsUN Accuses Syria of War Crimes
August 2012- U.N. accuses Syria of war crimes
The U.N. Human Rights Council says the Syrian military committed war crimes in the massacre of more than 100 civilians (1/2 of them children) in the village of Houla in May 2012
Main EventsRebels Make A Significant Fight Back Starting in November, the rebels begin to make a significant fight
back as Syrian government weakens
Shoot down a military helicopter in November
Rebel make gains in Damascus's suburbs, taking over military bases as they close in on the city's airport against weakened Syrian government forces in December
In February a surge of rebel advances in Syria is being fueled by an influx of heavy weaponry in a renewed effort by outside powers to arm FSA
Main EventsMajor Bombing
A car bomb that detonated at a checkpoint near Baath party headquarters in Damascus sets off a huge explosion, killing dozens and wounding more than 200.
Main EventsChemical Weapon Accusations
April 2013 Syria accused of using chemical
weapons Britain and France inform the United
Nations that there is credible evidence that Syria has used chemical weapons against rebel forces.
Main EventsHezbollah Get Involved
Hezbollah fighters aid Syrian military
Hezbollah, a long-standing ally of Syria, sends thousands of men to support Assad forces and fight against the rebels in parts of the strategic border town of Qusair.
On June 5, 2013 Hezbollah forces succesfully help Syrian goverment capture Qusair
Chemical/Biological Weapons
Chemical Weapons
Several investigations have proven that the Syrian government used chemical weapons against the people
Chemical WeaponsDates of Accused Chemical Weapon Use
Khan al-Assal, 19 March 2013
Syria's state news agency Sana reported that "terrorists" had fired a rocket "containing chemical materials", killing 16 people in the Khan al-Assal area of Aleppo province.
Al-Otaybeh, 19 March 2013
Video uploaded showing men having difficulty breathing after and attack on the village
Adra, 24 March 2013
The Local Co-Ordination Committees, a network of activists in Syria, said in its summary for 24 March that two people had been killed and "dozens" injured when Adra was shelled with "chemical phosphorus" bombs.
Chemical WeaponsDates of Accused Chemical Weapon Use
Sheikh Maqsoud, 13 April 2013
SOHR reported that two women and two children had been killed by poisoning from "gases from bombs dropped by an aircraft on the Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood.”
Videos show patients experiencing symptoms associated with chemical weapons
Saraqeb, 29 April 2013
Canisters were dropped above the town from helicopters, believed to be chemical weapons
Ghouta, 21 August 2013
Activists claimed rockets with toxic agents were launched at the suburbs of the Ghouta region
Chemical WesponsGhoutta Attacks: 2013
On August 21, 2013, a group of rebels attacked the Ghoutta suburbs, killing between 281 and 1,729 people.
The Syrian government has adamantly denied the use of chemical weaponry, but lab results confirmed the use of sarin nerve gas in weapons.
The region, near Mount Qasion has been the target for Israeli airstrikes.
Independent analysts have proven that the weapons were launched from areas under government control.
Chemical WeaponsResponse to the Ghoutta Attacks
The Syrian Government says that Qatar shipped weapons to Libya and Syria
The citizens have started to protest, and have started raising awareness to the corrupt government
Russian defense experts have called the accusations “distorted” and “one-sided”
Experts claim that the weapons used during the attacks were created in a factory in 1967, and could have been stolen by outside terrorist groups
Chemical WeaponsSiege of Ghoutta
Rebels still control the city, but loyal troops are besieging east Ghoutta
Ghoutta is still under air raids and rocket attacks
Troops are stationed at the only two entrances to prevent people from entering or leaving the city
The citizens don’t have access to electricity, bread, milk, fuel, medicine and baby milk
They must rely on any products they are able to manually grow (it could take several weeks or more, to produce one serving of food)
Chemical WeaponsInvestigations UN inspectors sent into Damascus to investigate use of chemical
weapons in August 2013
Concluded that 1,429 people were killed in an attack by the possible use of chemical weapons
In September, the UN finds 'convincing evidence' of chemical attack (nerve agent sarin)
In response, Russia proposes Syrian government give up chemical arms to avoid a attack by the US
October 1, 2013: Weapons inspectors enter Syria
A group of weapons inspectors from Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons arrived in Damascus to begin the task of overseeing the destruction of Syria's chemical weapons program.
Chemical WeaponsDestruction of Chemical Weapons
Syria destroys chemical weapons facilities
Syria has rendered its declared chemical weapons production facilities inoperable, according to the organization in charge of overseeing the nation’s chemical weapons disarmament.
Do you think that this is really the end of Chemical Weapon use by Syria?
Who’s guilty of using chemical weapons?
The People’s argument
The government is using chemical weaponry against their own people
The government is corrupt, and trying to get rid of anyone who opposes the power
Government/ Assad Family’s argument
Outside terrorist groups are challenging our power
Rebels are using chemical weaponry to create international outrage and to involve the Westerners
Chemical WeaponsEffects of Chemical Weapons of People Blurred Vision
Convulsions Muscle Spasms Excessive Saliva Difficulty
breathing
Foaming at the mouth
Hallucinations Memory Loss Suffocation “a smell like
vinegar and rotten eggs”
Analyze the following quote:
“Syria’s chemical weapons are a poor man’s nuclear bomb”
(Abdel Bari Atwan, former editor-in-chief of the Al-Quds Al-Arabi London-based pan- Arab daily, said on Al-Manar TV)
Effects Of the Revolution
Effects of the RevolutionDeath Toll
More than 110,000 people have died in the conflict
1.5 million have had to flee due to war
In comparison, The Wells Fargo Center can seat a max of 19,500
THAT MEANS YOU WOULD NEED OVER 5 ½ FILLED WELLS FARGO CENTERS TO REPRESENT THE
NUMBER OF PEOPLE KILLED AND ABOUT 77 FILLED WELLS FARGO CENTERS
TO REPRESENT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD TO FLEE
Effects of the RevolutionEconomy The economy has greatly suffered since the start of the revolution in
2011
75% of the production facilities in Aleppo (Syria's commercial capital) have been shutdown
Farmers have been unable to till their fields or sell their crops.
Food is becoming scarce and increasingly expensive
“More than 50% of the Syrian healthcare system's infrastructure has been destroyed”
Of the 75 state-run hospitals, just 30 remain in operation.
Over $100 billion is required for the reconstruction of Syria
Syria needs at least 25 years to reconstruct what has been destroyed during the conflict
Effects of the Revolution
Other countries have also suffered from the revolution It has cost Turkey seven hundred and fifty
million dollars to host the refugees, with about one hundred million more coming in from outside source
Turkey has been made a target of Assad since it’s borders are open to Syrian refugees Will slowly drag Turkey into the war
Effects of the Revolution
The country has been completely torn apart
Losing their identity and unity
People with Syrian roots who don’t event live in Syria have taken sides on the revolution
Sawsan Jabri and Osama Siblani represent the advancement of the Arab community in the Detroit area
represent dissension among Arab-Americans over Syria and underscore a growing rift over ideological, political and regional differences.
Each speaks for opposing camps: Jabri is a spokeswoman for the Syrian Expatriates Organization (rebels backed by the US) & Siblani has been a voice opposing U.S. intervention through counter-demonstrations and the opinion pages of his newspaper.
Effects Of the RevolutionWhat’s Next? Possible scenarios:
The fall of the Assad regime would require an external intervention and/or supporting the Free Syrian Army with the means to defend themselves and topple the regime.
Assad remains in power for years to come and continues to escalate violence resulting in civil war, inflamed regional conflicts and more death and destruction.
Assad crushes the uprising with the backing of Russia, China and Iran, and cement his rule for the next generation. Think North Korea.
Conclusion and outcomes
What can we do:
Contact the While House and US Congress and tell them to support the help the Syrian people topple the regime
Donate to humanitarian organizations working in Syria or in refugee camps
Become a SAC member and volunteer www.sacouncil.com
Write a letter to the editor in your local newspaper
Organize a rally or a town hall meeting to raise awareness
Use social media to spread the word
www.facebook.com/Syrian.Revolution
Syrian Human Rights Committee www.shrc.org
www.SyrianSupportGroup.org
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Stories from revolution:
Hamza AL-Khatib
Arrested during a protest in Saida, 10km east of Daraa, on April 29, Hamza's body was returned to his family on Tuesday 24th May, horribly mutilated. The child had spent nearly a month in the custody of Syrian security, and when they finally returned his corpse it bore the scars of brutal torture: Lacerations, bruises and burns to his feet, elbows, face and knees, consistent with the use of electric shock devices and of being whipped with cable, both techniques of torture documented by Human Rights Watch as being used in Syrian prisons during the bloody three-month crackdown on protestors.
Hamaza has became a symbol for all Syrian children who were killed and tortured. Syrian American Council www.sacouncil.com
Stories From the Revolution
Stories From the Revolution
Stories from revolution: Tal al Mallohi: born in January 4, 1991 a Syrian blogger from Homs.
She has been called "the youngest prisoner of conscience in the Arab world".
On 27 December 2009, Tal was taken from her home by officers of one of the security offices in Syria because she has written poems about Palestine and social commentaries on her blog.
Ever since, her parents didn't know which security office has detained her nor where they can visit their daughter.
Tal al-Mallohi has been accused by the Syrian government of being a spy for the United States of America, and sentenced on February 15, 2011 to five years in prison.
Syrian American Council www.sacouncil.com
Stories from revolution:
Ibrahim Qashoush: was a fireman and amateur poet from Hama,
Syria. During the 2011 Syrian uprising, Qashoush was noted for singing and authoring songs mocking Syrian president Bashar al-Assad and the ruling Ba'ath party. The protest anthem, "Come on, Bashar, time to leave", is attributed to him. On 4 July 2011, Qashoush was found dead in the Orontes River, his throat cut and his vocal cords ripped out. After his murder, fellow protesters hailed Qashoush as the "nightingale of the revolution”
Syrian American Council www.sacouncil.com
Stories From the Revolution
Role of the UN, USA, and the World
Role of the UN, USA, and the World US
The US is clearly against Assad’s regime but have been careful about how they got involved
They have given some weapons to the FSA
President Barack Obama has been pushing for U.S. military action
Has been talk in UN over US intervention, but the UN is split on the matter
Role of the UN, USA, and the World UN and The World
The UN has been divided on the matter
There are many risks in intervention
General Ban Ki-moon (UN Secretary) warned that an "ill-considered" strike could have "tragic consequences" for the strife-torn country
Russia and China have continually vetoed propositions in intervene due to their ally with the Syrian government
Do you think that the UN should take a stand in Syria? Why or not?
Some Political Cartoons…
