However, it is also clear that the regime’s capacities are being slowly
degraded. An economic crisis as foreign investment has fled, combined with
sanctions, has hit power supplies and raised prices in the shops.
Meanwhile, in some cities, notably Homs but also smaller towns such as the
resort of Zabadani near the Lebanese border, rebels have been able to seize
and hold on to territory against military shelling for several days.
The rebels are also striking against regime troops more boldly, to lethal
effect. A brigadier-general, Mohammed Abdul-Hamid al-Awad, was shot dead on
Monday, while a rocket attack on Tuesday killed an officer and five of his
men at a checkpoint near Damascus, the state news agency reported.
Russia, which has rejected all forms of intervention against its closest
Middle East ally, has now presented a resolution condemning both regime and
opposition for violence, but it is unlikely to proceed as it fails to
suggest a solution.
Much will depend on the hearing the Arab League will give on Saturday to its
peace monitors, who are due to complete the first stage of their
investigation this week, and whether it seeks to force the issue at the
United Nations itself or merely extend its mission.
Although Qatar has called for Arab troops to be sent in, western nations have
made clear that even if they intervened, it would only be with Arab League
and United Nations backing.
On Tuesday, a renewed assault in Homs, including the use of tank rounds,
killed eight people – a sign not only of the regime’s violence but of the
continued resistance of defenders.
Mr Ghalioun said: “The situation in Homs is more difficult than anyone
can imagine. The shooting is going on, and no one can even leave their homes
to purchase what they need. The situation is inhumane.”
He said he was moving to Cairo because he could only represent his
constituency from outside Syria. “We can’t express our position in
Syria,” he said. “We can’t even help the people, which is supposed
to be my role as a member of parliament.”
Related posts:
Views: 0