Approximately 200 protesters gather in Damascus to demand reforms in the Syria's first "Day of Rage". The demonstration was organized through Facebook.
During 15 March 2011 Day of Rage demonstrations at least 35 individuals were arrested. Today, about 150 people gathered near the interior ministry demanding the release of political prisoners. The interior ministry has denied that the protests have been political in nature.
Protests start in the southern city of Deraa, after three youths were arrested for writing anti-government graffiti on walls. Security force have begun cracking down by controlling flows of people and goods in and out of the city.
Deraa - Security forces have killed six people in front of a mosque during a protest against President Assad. Since the attacks, electricity and telephone services in the city have been cut. Witness claim that at least one of the protesters was shot by a sniper. Thus far, the protesters have been peaceful. Since the beginning of the unrest, President Assad has lifted some restraints on private enterprise but has largely ignored the demands of protesters.
Security forces continue to fire on protesters involved in funeral marches. Security forces are armed with water cannons, tear gas, rubber bullets, and live ammunition. The security presence is the highest since the beginning of the demonstrations.
Demonstrations have grown in number all across Syria, including: Homs, Hama, Tel, and Latakia. There were also smaller protests in Damascus and Aleppo. Clashes between anti-regime demonstrators and loyalists were reported in the capital.
The U.S., the UN, and western European countries respond to the violence in Syria as the protests continue. Jay Carney, a White House spokesman stated, "We strongly condemn the Syrian government's attempt to repress and intimidate demonstrators". UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, in a telephone conversation with President Assad, urged him to use "maximum restraint".
New clashes have occurred between protesters and security forces in the port city of Latakia, where at least twelve people have been shot dead and 200 people injured. Protesters still view the concessions made by the regime as illegitimate. Link to Video: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12873033
President Assad was meant to address the nation; however, he was no where to been seen. Violence continues in Latakia and Deraa. The city of Latakia has been sealed off by security forces. Confusion amongst the public is continually growing, as the status of the emergency law is questionable.
Security forces fired tear gas and pointed machine guns at people gathering around the Omari Mosque. According to AP, security forces were surrounding the city of Deraa Monday evening. Latakia was calm today, but the increased number of security forces is noticeable.
Pro-Assad demonstrators gather in Damascus, Aleppo, Hasaka, Homs, and Hama. The demonstrations were televised by Syrian state television. School children were given the day off and employees were allowed two hours to attend the rally.
Prime Minister Muhammad Naji Otari delivered the resignation of the Syrian cabinet to President Bashar al-Assad. The resignation is seen as a largely symbolic gesture. This move was meant to legitimize Assad's rule and placate opposition.
In his first televised address to Parliament since the beginning of the unrest, President Bashar al-Assad blames foreign, most specifically Israel, for the instability in Syria. His speech did not contain any concessions and did not address the 40-year old emergency rule law.
Unappeased by President Assad's remarks two days earlier, protesters took to the streets. At least three have been killed and scores have been injured.
Security forces have arrested dozens in Deraa, Douma, and Homs after increased clashes with pro-government supporters. In Douma, despite high tensions, protesters have called for three days of general strike. According to BBC, protesters released from custody have been brutally beaten, humiliated, branded as traitors, and accused of having links with foreign forces.
Thousands gather in the capital city of Damascus to bury those killed by government forces on Friday. The regime maintains that the violence in Douma and Deraa is the result of armed thugs.
President Assad attempt to please Sunnis and Kurds by closing the country's only casino and reversing a ban on the niqab, a full Islamic face veil. These concessions are seen as the regime's attempt to weaken the demonstrators and placate religious advocates.
Despite heavy government response anti-government demonstrations occur throughout Syria. In Deraa, security forces opened fire into the crowds and ambulances have been prevented from reaching the victims.
At three people were shot dead and many more wounded as violence erupted in Banias. Reports claim the army, which has already been deployed in Deraa and Latakia, are being deployed to Banias.
In a rare display of activism, students at Damascus University rallied in protest of the Assad regime. Reports claim hundreds were arrested.
The coastal city of Banias is under lock down by security forces, as water, electricity, and essential supplies to the city have been cut.
President Assad, under the leadership of Prime Minister Adel Safar, appoints a newly formed government.
Protests are held in Deraa, Latakia, Banias, Qamishli, and other cities across the nation. According to reports tens of thousands of citizens have gathered in Damascus to protest the Assad regime. These protest are believed to be the largest since unrest had begun in mid-March.
In a televised speech to his new cabinet, President Bashar al-Assad expects to lift the state of emergency law by the end of next week. The removal of the state of emergency has been the largest demand made by anti-government protesters. Despite this, protests and violence continues throughout the nation.
Despite the promised lifting of the 48-year emergency law, protest and violence persists through Syria. In Homs, at least eight protests were shot dead during a funeral for a tribal leader, Abu Moussa's Fawara, who died in custody.
Protesters gather in Homs to protest the deaths of individuals killed on Sunday. Demonstrators clashed with security forces, and live ammunition was fired into the crowd. The protesters consisted of men, women, and children. Reports claim that by the end of the evening there were roughly 50,000 people in the New Clock Tower Square.
The Assad regime passes the necessary legislation to lift the 48-year emergency rule law. It is unclear how much of a difference the lifting will have on the daily lives of Syrians. Demonstrations have continued through the country.
Syrian protests face its deadliest day yet as tens of thousands take to the streets after Friday prayers. Reports claim that at least 72 protesters have been killed, as security forces are firing live rounds and tear gas into the demonstrations.
President Obama speaks out against Friday's violence in Syria. He condemned "in the strongest possible terms" the violence used by the Assad regime.
Nasser al-Hariri, a member of Syria' parliament from Deraa, and Khalili al-Rifae, also from Deraa , resigned from parliament after Friday's violence. In a televised resignation Mr. al-Hariri stated "I can't protect my people when they get shot at so I resign from parliament." These are the first resignations of parliamentary members since the beginning of the violence.
Syrian troops and security forces have set up security check points across the country as the demonstrations and violence escalates. Security forces have also raided and arrested homes of individuals who have participated in the demonstrations.
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The Syrian military has launched an offensive against the city of Deraa. While Deraa has been the center of the violence thus far, the military has taken total control over the city by cutting all services, firing indiscriminately, and closing its Jordanian border. This movement by the military appears to be a pre-emptive strike against any opposition, and is different from the tactics taken thus far by the Assad regime.
Roughly 200 members of the Baath party resigned in protest of the violence against demonstrations.
A draft statement by the UN was rejected by a 15 member security council. The draft was supported by France, Britain, Germany and Portugal; and was rejected by Russia, Lebanon, and India.
Despite gunfire and arrest, thousands of Syrians take to the streets after Friday prayers. At least 42 individuals were killed. Deaths were reported in Deraa, Latakia, and Homs. New protests were reported in Barzeh, Midan, Bab Srejeh, and Hajr al-Aswad. These new protests were met with some confrontation by security forces.
The UN Human Rights council approves an investigation into the violence in Syria. The investigation calls for the immediate release of political prisoners and the removal of restrictions on press. Later, the US imposed sanctions on Syria's intelligence agency and relatives of President Assad's
Activist reported that the roads entering into the northern and southern parts of Banias are now blocked by soldiers controlling entry into the city. The government still maintains that the demonstrators are militant criminals not ordinary civilians. The interior ministry said that protesters who have committed "unlawful acts" to give themselves up by 15 May.
Syrian soldiers conducted arrests in the Damascus suburb of Saqba. Citizens in Saqaba participated in nation-wide demonstrations last Friday. Residents reported that power and communications were cut off before security forces entered the city.
The EU has agreed to impose travel restrictions and freeze asset of syrian officials directly involved int he violence. The sanctions will be formally announced on Monday. Like the American sanctions, the asset freezes and travel bans will not directly target President Assad.
Protest held throughout the nation today are know as a "day of defiance". At least 16 people were killed during the demonstrations.
A mass grave containing 13 bodies was found by human rights organizations in Deraa. Over the past eight weeks hundreds of people have gone missing. According to Wissam Tarif of the rights group Insan, "Nobody knows who is behind the grave but the fact that there were people with hands tied behind their back and we have seen an operation across the country by the army...makes us believe the state is behind this." The government claims that the mass grave is completely untrue. In the past week, groups of bodies (ranging from five to 40) have been found in the fields surrounding Deraa. Human rights groups report that approximately 1,000 people have been killed since the beginning of the violence.
Al Jazeera journalist, Dorothy Parvaz, arrived in Syria on April 29 to cover the unfolding events. She was immediately arrested upon arrival, being told that she was an Israeli spy in Syria on behalf of the United States. She was held in a Syrian prison for three days and then transferred to Iran.
In a brief statement made to media sources, President Assad claims that mistakes were made by security forces. He blamed the violence by security officers on inexperience and poor training. Despite this acknowledgment, the Assad regime still holds that the majority of violence is being carried out by "armed criminal gangs".
President Obama signs Executive Order 13573 placing asset freezes and travel sanctions on President Bashar al-Assad. The sanctions on President Assad are largely symbolic, as he has very few assets in the US and is unlikely to travel to the US.
At least 30 people were killed during protest in Homs, Latakia, Harra, and others. The death toll for this Friday's protests is relatively low in comparison to the number of demonstrations held throughout the country. Large demonstrations were held in Homs, Hama, Damascus and it suburbs, Banias, Latakia, and Aleppo.
The EU approved sanctions directly affecting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The EU agreement includes travel bans and assets freezes for Mr. Assad and nine other Syrian officials. Violence and protests continued through out the nation this weekend. The Assad regime continues to blame the violence on armed groups backed by foreign powers.
At least eight were killed during protest on Friday. Deaths occurred in Deal, Zabadani, and Qatana. As a result of the government crackdown, protesters are having to alter their practices and are holding flash demonstrations. week day or night-time protests.
President Bashar al-Assad grants general amnesty to all opposition movements and parties, including the Muslim brotherhood. Protesters have quickly dismissed the move by the Assad regime. The amnesty could effect the 10,000 individuals who have been arrested since the protest began.
13-year old Hamza al-Khatib took part in the 29 April demonstrations at Saida, outside of Deraa, where he was taken by security forces. His body was returned to his family on 37 May with obvious signs of torture including: bullet wounds, cigarette burns, and emasculation. He has since become a symbol of the revolution and the involvement of children in the revolution.
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