Syria's al-Assad Isolated but Clinging to Power

Today, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain denounced the actions of Bashar al-Assad and his regime and recalled their Syrian ambassadors. The Saudi king said that al-Assad’s actions contravene their religion’s humanitarian and moral codes. The Imam of the highest sunni institution, Al-Azhar in Cairo, also condemned al-Assad’s actions, saying they had passed the limits acceptable.

The Syrian regime is becoming more and more isolated, but the killing continues and al-Assad seems not to hear what the world is saying.  

The north of Syria is undergoing what could be called a “political cleansing,” with towns being invested, men humiliated, children killed, teenage boys arrested and tanks firing indiscriminately on civilians.

In Deraa, the militant Maan Awadat, the brother of opposition leader Haithem Manaa who lives in France, was shot in the head in what was called by human rights groups a political assassination.

The al-Assad endgame must be near, but how it will end is not clear. This is because the Syrian military has, so far, supported him. There are many regiments which are not engaged, but those involved in the attacks are long-time comrades of the Syrian leader and regional analysts suggest that they are fighting for their own lives and futures, as much as for al-Assad’s, for they would be sanctioned with him if the regime falls.

The Turkish foreign minister has a difficult day ahead of him on Tuesday when he will talk with al-Assad and deliver the messages from world leaders that the killing must stop and the repression must end.

What will come next is not clear, but surely al-Assad cannot hang on to power much longer. If the majority of the non-combatant military join the marchers, we will see al-Assad fall.