Syria opposition battles rising frustration and internal divisions

Disorganisation and splits within activists’ ranks said to deter others from joining movement Syria’s anti-government protesters are battling against internal divisions and growing frustration as the movement against President Bashar al-Assad’s regime, now in its third month, appears to have reached a stalemate. Unlike Egypt and Tunisia, where the leaders took their leave in a relatively swift and peaceful manner, protesters are realising that Syria’s regime, willing to shoot dead hundreds and lock up thousands to hang on to power, is a harder nut to crack. With the known death toll approaching 900 after 76 people were killed at the weekend, protesters are starting to reflect on what more they can do. “We want to regain our dignity and liberty, and be able to choose our government freely. Other than that there is little agreement,” said Waleed al-Bunni, a doctor and dissident currently in hiding. There is disagreement about whether or not to negotiate with the government, what tactics to adopt for the street protests, and even whether the demonstrations began too soon. “Maybe we should have waited and got better organised before we took to the streets,” said one protester in his 20s in the central city of Homs. A middle-aged woman whose son is out protesting said she offered to send him to Egypt to learn from activists but “he and his friends were so enthused by the revolutions in Egypt and Tunisia they couldn’t wait”. But others said they had to take the opportunity presented by the initial victories of the Arab spring. Many in urban centres are disconnected from a mainly rural uprising, and tribal groups have their own specific codes, requiring revenge for bloodshed, said a diplomat in Damascus. When on 13 May the government said it would open a national dialogue – a pledge that looks increasingly insincere – opposition figures took different stances. Older veteran figures such as Louay Hussein, an Alawite writer who met presidential emissaries, advocated negotiations. But others, such as Razan Zeitouneh, a 35-year-old lawyer and activist, rejected any form of contact. “I am adamantly opposed to dialogue before all violence is stopped and all political prisoners are released,” she said. This disorganisation has alienated some of those who would have joined the protest movement. Two months of action have polarised Syrians. Those advocating change encompass all ages, levels of education and religions but predominantly young men are taking to the streets. “I fear people see young men in tracksuits or look at people coming out in rural areas and don’t see it as a movement that they relate to,” said the middle-aged woman. A university graduate and young professional in the capital said she would like change but “these people don’t know what they want”. What started as disparate demands – outrage at the torture of a group of children in Deraa and corruption of the governor in Homs – crystallised as protesters became united in anger at violence meted out by the regime. But more recently, the lack of a common strategy is becoming more evident. Nidaa Hassan is a pseudonym for a journalist in Syria Arab and Middle East unrest Bashar Al-Assad Syria Middle East Protest Nidaa Hassan guardian.co.uk

Posted by on May 23, 2011. Filed under News, Politics, World News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.