2011 Syrian Protests

[samusaran253]

So basically Syria is the next Libya. There's a civil war forming there, and it isn't very civil. The Syrian government has fired upon Syrian protestors and it's getting bloodier by the hour. What do you think will happen in Syria? Will this spark a civil war? Who do you support, the government or the protestors? Do you think the United States should intervene, like we did with Libya, and if so, how should we intervene? If you want, please try to keep all discussions and news articles about the Syrian protests in this thread.

[doodinthemood]

I must say I'm very impressed with your optimism that people on here will have well-formed opinions on the Syrian protests.

That being said I voted no.

[DAISHI]

The Libyan War is one of consensus. Other countries took the lead and the Arab Union put itself on the line a bit with that one. The Syrian conflict is shaping up differently internationally. I certainly don't think the U.S. should go in unilaterally. Barring a repetition of the circumstances that led to intervention in Libya, I see no justification for getting involved in Syria.

[samusaran253]

Syria sends army reinforcements into Deraa

The Syrian army has sent more tanks and reinforcements into Deraa as part of a widening crackdown against opponents of the government, and sporadic explosions are being heard in the flashpoint southern city, witnesses say.

Witnesses said a convoy of about 30 tanks were seen on the circular highway outside the Syrian capital, Damascus, on Wednesday.

Troops have been deployed since Monday in Deraa - where the uprising began more than five weeks ago - and activists said more gunfire could be heard on Wednesday.

A resident of Deraa, speaking under the condition of anonymity for his own safety, said that security forces had taken over the town hospital, and were shooting at anyone who approached the building.

"Snipers are on top of all the buildings in Deraa and there are lots of bodies on the streets," the man said in a phone interview. "They were left on the street for three days and we couldn't remove them."

Troops had sealed off the town, and were searching homes at night.

Read more: http://aljazeera.com/news/middleeast...619235903.html

[samusaran253]

Originally Posted by doodinthemood

I must say I'm very impressed with your optimism that people on here will have well-formed opinions on the Syrian protests.

That being said I voted no.

What can I say? I believe in people.

[WarpSpeed]

The U.S. can't do anything overtly in Syria without Arab support, or will risk making things even worse. Besides, Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize, remember?

I think the U.S. can continue to condemn leaders who attack their own protesting citizens and perhaps offer token support here and there.