The Beginning of Mass Discontent with Assads Dictatorship in Syria

By Dr. Ali White

Mass discontent with President Assads dictatorship in Syria began in early spring of
2011. Nationwide protests erupted against the government, whose forces responded
with violent crackdowns. This violent repression only intensified with time, creating
thousands of civilian deaths in turn leading to both the deepening of popular
resentment, and mass defections from the dictators army. After one year, the peaceful
protests against the cruel regime developed into armed resistance to it.
Less than one year after the initial outbreak of the crisis in Syria massive popular
protests and demonstrations erupted, and were then followed by clashes between the
forces of the regime and armed opposition groups. Oppositional areas were randomly
bombarded by the regimes helicopter gunships and artillery. At that time, many
citizens especially students used to hold meetings, disseminate slogans and
distribute leaflets against the regime. The forces of the regime reacted by storming
university campuses and arresting activists, who were imprisoned for several months
and subjected to severe torture.
But the clashes only intensified and the suffering got more painful. Life in the
meantime became extremely difficult. It became almost impossible to secure the basic
needs required for mere survival. The regimes continuous bombardment of many
areas caused a mass exodus. All manner of armaments were used, including heavy
bombardment from the air, chemical weapons and shelling from the artillery.
After that, the crisis took more serious dimensions. A ferocious campaign of random
arrests was launched by the regime. The contention between the regime and the
people was about to morph into fully blown civil war.