SYRIA: Beginning of the End for Assad? - IPS ipsnews.net

SYRIA: Beginning of the End for Assad? - IPS ipsnews.net

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While protests have occurred throughout the country, there have not been mass demonstrations yet in the capital, Damascus, or Syria's second largest city, Aleppo, unlike the protests that took place in Cairo and Tunis. The opposition to the government has yet to unify as most Libyans did behind a Transitional National Council based in eastern Libya. The externally-based SNC is at odds with the Damascus- based National Coordination Committee (NCC) over a number of issues.

Jouejati said the only thing the SNC wants to negotiate with Assad is the manner and timing of his departure, while the NCC has backed what most observers see as meaningless discussions with the government on political reforms.

Both groups oppose violence and worry that militarising the opposition would make it easier for the regime to justify its brutal crackdown. However, about 15,000 members of the Syrian military have already defected, according to Jouejati, with many joining a self- styled Free Syrian Army based in Turkey.
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