Syria: Crackdown Continues Despite International Outcry

This post is part of our special coverage Syria Protests 2011.

Protests are continuing across Syria, as the Syrian regime shows no signs of loosening its brutal crackdown despite an international outcry.

On Twitter, netizens continue to follow and react to developments on the ground. Dima Khatib writes:

People flee their homes before the army of their OWN country reaches their towns —- only in Syria. So sad ! #syria #mar15

In another tweet she mocks the Arab League, a political bloc for leaders of the 22 Arab countries, who have just issued their first statement regarding Syria since the violent crackdown on protesters started last March. Khatib tweets:

Arab League finally turned on the TV to watch the news ! #Syria Just 3 months, 10000 refugees & 1000++ killed LATE ! #mar15

Tweets from foreign correspondents and anchors are an important means of getting reliable news from Syria.

Al Jazeera‘s correspondent Cal Perry tells us:

The Syrian government has run out of space in it's prisons, and is now using outdoor stadiums and schools. #Syria

Another Al Jazeera correspondent, Alan Fisher explains:

#Syria security forces reportedly widening operation in country's north to crack down on anti-government protests

Meanwhile, back in Egypt Nasry Esmat wonders where Syria's president Bashar Al Assad is:

Diary from #Syria: Where is Assad? http://bit.ly/mHlsqr Where he is indeed: to reforming, stepping aside, or losing power?

And Revolution Syria shares a video showing protesters celebrating the withdrawal of tanks from Homs.

The Twitter user comments:

What happens in #Homs when tanks leave the city? A protest party! #Syria http://fb.me/PhMFRZUD

The user shares another video of a protest, also from last night, and also in Homs:

In this video, the protesters are seen clapping and signing national chants.

This post is part of our special coverage Syria Protests 2011.

Thumbnail image by Thorsten Strasas, copyright Demotix. ‘Candles burn candles in the shape of the phrase: “Freedom for Syria.” Roughly 50 people held a moment of silence and lit candles to remind the world of the death of 13-year-old Hamzah Ali Alkhateeb, who was killed by Syrian army in Seda, and all other victims of the Syrian regime, Berlin, Germany (01/06/11).

1 comment

  • […] According to Global Voices: the revolution in Syria was initially inspired by revolutions in Egypt and Tunisia. Protests in Syria have gained momentum since March 15, 2011 (a first call for protests on February 5 drew only a small crowd). Thousands have protested against the government of President Bashar Al-Assad in Damascus, Aleppo and several other cities – and dozens have been arrested – but the heart of the protests is currently in southern city Daraa. On March 18, news that 15 children had been arrested for writing anti-regime graffiti sparked a demonstration that led to security forces killing at least three people. In subsequent protests in Daraa, at least 37 more have been killed (some reports say as many as 150 may have died). The most extensive nationwide protests since the beginning of the uprisings were on March 25 on what is now referred to as the “Friday of Dignity” (at least 24 deaths reported so far). [See also: Syria: Crackdown Continues Despite International Outcr] […]

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