Recent developments in Syria are an indication of significant changes taking place in the hierarchy of the regime. Bashar Al Assad’s regime is facing the greatest challenge to its survival since the uprising began, as more are giving up on it.
Syrian Prime Minister Riad Hijab on Monday joined the scores of defectors from the regime’s apparatus. It is so far the highest-ranking defection in the 17-month uprising. “I announce my defection from the regime of killing and terror, and I join the ranks of the revolt. Syria is passing through the most difficult war crimes, genocide and barbaric killings and massacres against unarmed citizens”, said Hijab in a statement.
The increase in and continuation of defections is significant for a regime that has tightly held power based on the allegiance of its senior officials. The defectors are part of a close and trusted inner circle that has been — up until their defection — integral to the regime’s brutal crackdown on protests. These senior officials in the government and the army were the main groups involved in chalking out plans for subduing the people’s protests that started peacefully with protesters demanding their rights and aspirations. They have also been the group that devised the most brutal and merciless attacks on the vast cities and areas that dared to protest.
Yet today, the regime is in limbo. There is much uncertainty about its state of affairs and as much about the whereabouts of its leadership. It is not clear what is transpiring within the inner circles of Bashar Al Assad as the issue today is not about its survival but rather about when the entire system will collapse.
Within the next days and weeks, more defections will take place. More brutality and violence will also continue as the armed engagement between the regime’s forces and those of the armed opposition intensifies. And hence, what should not be forgotten is the mounting loss of innocent lives.
