Syria's President Bashar Assad might be publicly defiant in the facing of growing opposition to his brutal rule, but privately he's got to know that his regime is in trouble. Thousands of incredibly brave Syrians continue to demand both his resignation and new, democratic government. The demands are seconded by almost the entire international community. That doesn't bother Assad. He's determined to retain power whatever the costs.
That cost is borne by ordinary Syrians. Troops loyal to regime reportedly killed several people in a crowd of peaceful civilians who had gathered in the city of Homs on Monday to welcome a United Nations humanitarian mission. The shootings are the latest in a series that have claimed the lives of about 2,200 demonstrators. Indeed, the number of dead likely is far higher.
Assad's forces have detained thousands. Their fates remain unknown. There is general agreement, though, that the death toll is extraordinarily high.
Monday's shootings are the most recent evidence of Assad's willingness to harm his own people to maintain power. His forces have tortured thousands in a not-so-subtle attempt to intimidate the opposition. His troops have razed communities in an attempt to root out pro-democracy advocates. Land forces have used tanks and artillery to terrorize civilians and his Navy shelled the city of Latakia and then nabbed hundreds of residents as they tried to escape. The horrid tactics have failed to deter the popular uprising.
Resolute Syrians continue to publicly call for political reform and for Assad's departure -- despite the demonstrable danger in doing so. Their bravery and their cause have not gone unnoticed.
Syria is increasingly isolated. Many nations, including most of the nation's erstwhile allies, have called for Assad's resignation and issued an escalating set of sanctions against his country. On Monday, Arab nations demanded that Assad allow an international investigation of whether his regime had committed crimes against humanity. At this writing, there had been no response, but given recent events the demand will be rejected.
Assad said Sunday that international efforts to challenge his power are meaningless. As a sop, he did promise parliamentary elections next year and say that political parties other than his own will be allowed to field candidates. The offer means nothing, though, if his forces continue to kill peaceful protesters.
Syrians, plainly invigorated by events in Libya, continued to press for reforms Monday. "Gadhafi is gone; now it's your turn, Bashar!," they roared. Assad should listen.
He might be in control at the moment, but the steely determination of the Syrian people to end Assad's rule and growing international support for their cause could alter the course of events quickly.