International disgust is increasing every week at the increasingly horrifying actions of the Syrian government, which ordered the slaughter of more than 100 civilians in Al Houla last week. This massacre rightly led the governments of the US, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Australia and Canada, among many others, to expel the Syrian diplomats on their territory.
They were followed a day later by the governments of Turkey and Japan, who expelled the Syrian diplomats yesterday as the Syrian government renewed its bombardment of the civilian population near Al Houla. The shameless actions of the Syrians have inspired genuine fury among the international community. It is almost incredible that a modern day government, with pretentions to being part of the international scene, can continue to shell its population into submission at the very same time that its murder of over 100 people, including over 30 children has put it under the spotlight.
It is important that Russia ceases to back the Al Assad regime. For over a year, Russia has backed its sole ally in the Arab world throughout the whole sorry tragedy of its increasing oppression of its people. It is time for Russia to back away from the murderous regime in Damascus, and join the rest of the international community in seeking peaceful change in Syria.
Expelling the diplomats is one step short of cutting off diplomatic relations, but it is a clear indication that the international community has come to the end of the line with the terrible actions of Bashar Al Assad’s government. The Syrians have failed to comply with the six-point plan put forward by forward by Kofi Annan, and the UN Security Council has condemned the killings in Al Houla. It is now time to support the opposition.
