1. Violence rages in Syria despite high-
level diplomacy
By Molly Vora
Period 6

2. Conflict in Syria
Protests began on March
15, 2011
Began in Daraa with the
arrest of 15 children
By April 2011 protests all
over Syria
April 25, 2011
government launched a
siege on major cities
(Daraa and Homs)
Government tortures
protesters

3. What sort of country is Syria?
Government:
Republic under an
authoritarian regime
Current President:
Bashar al-Assad
Has been in power
since 2000
Inherited the
control of Syria
after his father died

4. What do the protesters want?
Initially: Basic reforms,
more freedoms, a
multi-party political
system
Now: The al-Assad
regime out and true
democratic elections
Opposition groups
are not united
Protesters are
unarmed

5. How is the government responding?
New constitution
offering multi-party
election
Regime is slaughtering
civilians to wipe out
everyone who is not
loyal to Assad
Brutal crackdown
There is international
pressure
Many Western countries
have imposed sanctions
Assad refuses to step
down

6. The revolution
Three main groups:
Syrian National Council
(SNC)
National Co-ordination
Committee (NCC)
Free Syrian Army
9,000 dead
30,000 neighboring
countries
Thousands have been
arrested
U.N. Security Council has
failed to agree on a
resolution

7. Currently
Violence in the areas of
Homs, Idlib, the Damascus,
and Deir Ezzor
Syrian Army has blockaded
many cities
By April 10th, President
Assad promises the U.N. it
will pull forces out of cities
and not use weapons
(Cease fire)
Government is lying
Tanks are entering cities
still

8. Future of Syria
Peaceful solution seems
unlikely
Military intervention Big
Civil War
Diplomatic approaches  not
effective
Eventual collapse of Syria's
currency  regime will die
If Assad steps down
transitional government before
elections
Why we care? Assad supports
terrorist groups and allows
them to cross into into Iraq.

9. Thank you for listening!