Syrian rebels stand face to face with the regime

With the each passing day, Syrian rebels are getting strength and giving tough time to security forces loyal to the regime. Armed clashes between the rebels and the security forces are becoming a matter of routine in major cities of the country. These clashes often result in civilian casualties while the security agencies are in a habit to blame the opposition forces for the killings. So much so, the rebels are alleged of bombings and firing gunshots at the security forces. Is it justified? The famous adage goes as: everything is fair in love and war.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad blames the United States and other European countries for arming the rebels to protect their vested interests. Though these countries distance themselves over arming and funding the rebels but independent sources claim that the rebels are not only being armed but also trained to fight against the Assad security forces. Saudi Arabia and Qatar have long been pressing the US and other likeminded countries to arm the Syrian opposition; so that they could put up resistance to the brutal regime. The proposal was not given weight at that time but it is being implemented now.

Why did the rebels fail to east out the dictator despite support from the international community? Syrian tyrant Bashar al-Assad has been successful in dividing the opposition forces by planting their own men in their ranks and that is the only reason the rebels failed to put up the needed resistance against the regime. The successful revolutions of Tunisia, Egypt and Libya witnessed unification of the opposition forces as all of them united on one point agenda of ousting the disgusting tyrants. Despite efforts by the United States and other European countries, the Syrian rebels could not be united for long.

However, now there appears a significant change in ranks of the opposition forces as they all are trying to gather at one platform. This also gives optimism to the international community and hopefully Assad will be forced soon to step aside from his position. The reports of Assad’s resignation have started appearing in the media and it is also being purported that Russia too is coaxing Bashar al-Assad for resignation. It has been more than 16 months to the uprising and according to the United Nations more than 16,000 innocent civilians have been killed so far by the security forces loyal to the regime.

If Assad has got a shred of self respect, he should resign from the presidency immediately as violence and anarchy is escalating in the volatile country at a rapid pace. He must focus on interest of the country rather self interest. Iran, Russia and China – staunch supporters of Assad – should also persuade Assad for resignation; otherwise the anarchy and chaos will become permanent features of the country.