Not even the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan has deterred the cruelty of President Bashar al-Assad of Syria…….

Not even the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan has deterred the cruelty of President Bashar al-Assad of Syria…….


The Arab States and Syria

August 8, 2011

The Arab States and Syria

It took far too long, but the cruelty of President Bashar al-Assad of Syria has finally registered with his Arab neighbors. They are speaking out against a reign of terror that has claimed the lives of as many as 1,600 courageous Syrians since pro-democracy protests began in March.

The harshest statement came on Sunday from Saudi Arabia. It had special resonance because it was issued by King Abdullah and called for the Syrian leader to stop the “killing machine and end the bloodshed.” The king said “every sane Muslim and Arab” knows that hope for the region will not come from “the blood of innocent people.”

Saudi Arabia’s statement was all the more important in following weaker criticisms by the Arab League and the Gulf Cooperation Council. On Monday, along with Kuwait and Bahrain, Saudi Arabia recalled its ambassador from Damascus in protest. Their actions demonstrate Mr. Assad’s increasing alienation, including among Sunni Arab states that were previously supportive.

The fact that they waited so long is a disgrace. Mr. Assad — a member of Islam’s minority Alawite sect — has escalated the violence dramatically, with brutal tank assaults on two mainly Sunni cities. Not even the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan has deterred him.

Initially, Arab leaders viewed Syria as too powerful and too important to cross. But it has been clear for some time that he is destabilizing the region (thousands of Syrians have fled to Turkey) and eventually will be brought down. Mr. Assad also has been an important ally of Iran — whom they all fear.

The problem, of course, is that the countries that spoke out on Monday are repressive autocracies. Saudi Arabia sent forces to crush an uprising this spring in Bahrain. But Syria is a lesson in how motivated citizens can challenge governments that seem invincible. King Abdullah would be wise to heed the advice he gave Mr. Assad: govern reasonably and make good on promised reforms.

Mr. Assad and his henchmen are continuing their military assault despite all the condemnation (the United Nations Security Council weighed in last week) and limited sanctions by the United States and the European Union. Turkey’s foreign minister was expected in Damascus on Tuesday to deliver a “final warning” to end the bloodshed.

The international community needs to keep up the diplomatic pressure and broaden sanctions to include the energy sector until those enabling Mr. Assad — the military and the business community — force him out.