A weekend emergency meeting in Switzerland has been scheduled to discuss the grassroots momentum that has spread across Syria. United Nations international envoy Kofi Annan has expressed optimism that Syria will yield “an appropriate outcome” despite increasing violence and a failed peace plan.

Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria has slowly and steadily been losing ground to the opposition forces, led primarily by the Free Syrian Army (FSA) rebels. Protesters have now been able to get close to the presidential palace in Demascus, and were heard to have been shouting cries of “We are coming after you, may God curse your soul!” directed at the al-Assad family.

The escalation has been brewing for over 15 months, and the recent failure to implement Annan’s six-point peace plan has only inspired and motivated rebel forces.


In an appeal to the pro-Assad army, the Local Coordination Committee (a group of freedom fighters organizing the different sects of rebels) stated: “If you defect in greater numbers and sooner rather than later, you can spare Syria from further tragedies and pain, Syrian young men, defect from the regime's sinking ship because the new Syria will need you to protect her people and borders.”

With resistance forces growing and al-Assad’s support dwindling, changes in Syria are on the horizon.

Abedine, Saad, and Sterling, Joe (2012, June). Syrians defiant as world powers plan talks. http://www.cnn.com. Retrieved June 29, 2012, from http://www.cnn.com/2012/06/29/world/meast/syria-unrest/index.html?iref=allsearch