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Daily Current Affairs

( International News & Articles)
Syrian Conflict for regime change
Syria is a country in middleeast surrounded by Lebanon, Israel, Jordan, Iraq, Turkey and Mediterranean Sea. Its Capital is Damascus. It was a mandate of France between First World War and Second World War. It got freedom in 1946. Hafez al-Assad (Father of Bashar Al Ashad) ruled Syria since 1969 till his death in 2000 after which Bashar Al Ashad assumed the presidentship and he has been continuing this post since then. There is single party rule in Syria and Basher Al Ashad is the chief of the party (Ba'ath Party) in the country. Mr. Ashad got elected unopposed in 2000 and same story was repeated in 2007. He claims that he is democratically/constitutionally elected President but this is not the case as there is one party rule and in that also he alone stood in election for being chief of the party (Nobody could stand against him). So, though he assumed the post of President by election but it is clear that the election was not an election in the true spirit of democracy and republic. Arab Spring which started in Tunisia by self-immolation of Mohamed Bouazizi (street vendor) on 17 December 2010, in protest against confiscation of his items and the harassment by a municipal official. It ousted Tunisia President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in Jan 2011. This was not limited to Arab world like Egypt, Libya, Yemen, Bahrain but it spreaded through out world. The wall street movement of USA, the movements in China and Chinese top leader concern to introduce the element of democracy/liberalism in country, Anti election rigging protest against regime of Putin in Russia and many more are just part of Arab spring only. Now world is trying to see the governance in more responsive and democratic way. The same was repeated in Syria as family regime has been continuing since 1969. People of Syria started protesting on Jan 26, 2011. The regime started highly repressive crack down on its own people. Army was deputed to control but many of armed personnel refused to fire upon armless compatriots and those soldiers have executed. As per some estimates, around 9000 to 11000 people have died which includes 400 children and around 2500 to 3500 armed personnel also. Around 1,30,000 Syrians have fled to the neighbouring countries. The faction of army either escaped or disbanded have formed Free Syrian Army and this group is providing organised resistance to the regime army. However the Civilians who are third group are not able to provide organised resistance and losing their life. As these both groups are not joined hands together, so we see that opposition is not united. Arab league(The group of 22 nations) has suspended Syria. It tried for peace deal but could not succeed and finally the joint envoy of Arab League and UN Kofi Anna has been assigned the task of peace deal. Meanwhile the world has been concerned on this issue and so, USA brought a resolution on Feb 4, 2012 in UNSC against Syrian regime. Out of 15, 13 members supported but China and Russia vetoed it and hence could not pass. William Hague, the foreign secretary, condemned the decision. "More than 2,000 people have died since Russia and China vetoed the last draft resolution in October 2011," he said after the vote. "How many more need to die before Russia and China allow the UN Security Council to act?

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Finally Western Powers, USA and Arab league together brought a resolution in UN General Assembly on Feb 16, 2012. It was passed overwhelmingly for a resolution condemning the Syrian government and supported for change of regime(Step down of Assad). However this is a non binding resolution. Russia, China and Iran have always supported Assads got reason being they are against the dominance of USA and western world in one hand and they have fear as their leaders are also continuing in power from many years at another hand. They think that in case Syrian regime changes easily, it may be their turn next. Hence they want the gradual reform of Syria without immediate regime change. Russia has not only supported Syria in principle but also has left material proof. Jan 12, 2012, Russian ship visited the Syrian port of Tartus (Mediterranean Sea coast) From Gulf of Aden demonstrate Kremlin concern over Syrias stability. Russia has allegedly dropped arm and ammunition for Syrian govt and also boosted the confidence of its people in Syria that in case of any emergence(Like attack from Western allies) they can easily carry out evacuation. Again, on Feb 21, Iran also showed the concern for Govt of Syria by sending its ship to the port of Tartus.

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