Assad Names New Governors as Anti-Regime Protests Mount
Syria's under-fire president Sunday appointed two new governors in flashpoint provinces that have seen staunch protests against his regime, as security forces reportedly killed two more civilians.
State television said President Bashar al-Assad named new governors for the northwestern province of Idlib and for the Damascus governorate, both of which have seen massive anti-regime demonstrations over the past seven months.
Assad has sacked several governors since the wave of protests erupted in mid-March, including the Hama governor who was dismissed in July after a record 500,000 protesters rallied there against the regime.
Yasser Salman el-Shufi was named as Idlib's new governor while Makhlouf Makhlouf was appointed governor for the Damascus province.
Activists meanwhile called for fresh protests on Sunday under the slogan: "It's your turn" -- a reference to Assad -- hoping to force him out of power in the way Libyans ended the rule of Moammar Gadhafi.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said a funeral for two civilians shot dead at dawn quickly turned into an anti-regime rally in the flashpoint province of Hama.
Angry mourners in the Hama village of Al-Madiq "demanded the fall of the regime," the Britain-based group said in a statement received by Agence France Presse in Nicosia.
Hama's history is steeped in blood. An estimated 20,000 people were killed there in 1982 when the army put down an Islamist revolt against the rule of Assad's late father, Hafez al-Assad.
Meanwhile troops backed by security forces raided on Sunday the villages of Dael and Ibtaa in the southern province of Daraa, cradle of the pro-democracy protests, to end a strike by residents.
"The military forces removed barricades set up by the residents in Dael and Ibtaa," the Observatory said, adding that the strike had been launched four days earlier.
Pro-democracy activists called for more anti-regime demonstrations on Sunday against Assad's regime, comparing him to Libya's Gadhafi, who was killed Thursday.
"It's your turn. We do the same with criminals," said a message posted on the Facebook page of the Syrian Revolution 2011 under pictures of Assad and Gadhafi.
over 12 years
He looks like a monkey.
He does not know that the plot must go on. There is nothing he can do to change his fate. He did watch kaddafi's videos and how he died. Iran left him. His army is deserting .His country is at stand still. No money is coming in. All the money he stole from lebanon is gone. Now what? he thinks hes got more tricks in his bag? The Syrian people are getting stronger by the minute . The whole wrold is asking him to step down. He knows his end is near. The souls of all the people he massacred across the years are waiting . Not only his body will be ravaged but his soul will be tortured as he tortured innocent people. Hell is waiting for you bashar. Come onnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn down.
over 12 years
the day hizbo delegation went to moscow, and the russian ambassador in beirut received orders from moscow to meet seniora, the fate of assad now is clearer..
the russians dont want to make the mistake of lybia
over 12 years
Good move! All your problems will be solved now by replacing two idiots by another two idiots, under the leadersgip of the greater IDIOT of all. You're a pathetic loser.
over 12 years
We're coming for you Assad...
over 12 years
all the attention is now on this part of the world.... soon it is going to be your turn Bashar....
over 12 years
Keep posting your hateful thoughts, you all well know that it is not true what you write and far from reality. Keep dreaming and once you wake up, Bashar is still there, he is there to rule you all whether you like it or not. He is there to lead you where he wants to lead, Butcher of Damascus is there to stay,despite all your hateful notes. Get used to it...
over 12 years
The "facebook page of the Syrian revolution 2011", gave condolences and praise to the Saudi absolute dictator who has given and received more bribes than any tyrant in history, not to mention the thousands of innocent persons who have been beheaded. I understand progressives opposing the Baath Oppressive dictatorship. but no progressive should support this Wahabi paid "opposition".
over 12 years
No matter what, no matter how long, no matter what the thugs of hizb say.... you are going down baby!
over 12 years
how long the zionist information war department will predict the fall of assad?
lol...until he dies from old age
over 12 years
A meaningless gesture from a failed despot. Does removing governors mean the killing was the governors fault? Is this his response to the Iranians and Russians call fro reform? This is much too little and far too late.
The people will have his head. Nothing else will do at this point.
over 12 years
ahbal the clown is still so deep in his analysis, as empty as his head....
over 12 years
oh, by the way ahbal you still didn t tell us what good is bashar to lebanon and to syria? why do you adore him so much?
oh, don t tell us: your master told you to say so...
which is normal for someone who only has a medulla to think with, but no operating brain....
over 12 years
HHAHAHAHA - Assad is now rearranging the deck chairs on the already sinking Titanic!
over 12 years
The Criminal butcher ASSad's fate is sealed... He is too stupid and self absorbed to realize it and no one of his YES men wants or dares objectively advise him otherwise because at this stage most of them are hoping for his demise so they can be free of his Tyranny and may be have a chance of being pardoned from the his definite fate, his criminal brother Maher, and his so called Generals in this private murderous militia he calls Army. His and his regime's people day of Judgment is very near indeed...
over 12 years
Assad you are doomed.
If you had an inch of your father brain you would pack your stuff and go to Venezuela NOW..otherwise Khadafi's end will be too sweet for you.
Unfortunately you are too stubborn just like when you defied the international community over Lahouss in 2004.
You are just a puppet..the powers who were protecting your bloody regime are now leaving you one by one but you are too dumb to understand it
Please take GMA as a new Governor...he is so good in destruction systems...!!!!