Syria Drama - Assad Regime

ASSIGNMENT 1
KPB3123 - Negotiations & Conflict Management




SEMESTER : FEBRUARY 2016
FACULTY : TUN ABDUL RAZAK SCHOOL OF GOVERNMENT

NAME : NUR HAFIZA BINTI ABU ASSAN
MATRIC NO : KLB1520049
LECTURER NAME: MAJOR MOHD RIDZUAN BIN HJ. MOHD SHARIFF



CONFLICT IN SYRIA
The War Syria between Sunni backed IS and the Syiah led government forces was not only had been going on since 2013 but also started around years 1970 when Syrian ruler turns over to Assad Regime. Since then, skewed attitude of Syria government toward Shi'ite Alawi and repression toward Sunni has been going for decades. Though, Islamic Organisation (IS) or DAESH have not exist yet. So there, comes several factor of Sunni vs Shiaa war as the following :
Whats happening in Syria?
Hafez al-Assad
Party Baath
The rise of Ikhwanul Muslimin ( Syrian Muslim Brotherhood) in Hama
Bashir As Assad
In 1970, Hafez al-Assad (father of Bashar al-Assad) one of the longest-ruling leaders of the contemporary Middle East, (Khadduri & D. Roberts,, 1987) has seized power with the help of his party, the Baath Party. Hafez has been ruled with autocratic style. He is ruthless and brutal, until his death in 2000.

Figure 1 Hafez As Assad
Coming from the background of the Shi'ite Alawi, a Shiite who is considered deviant and is a minority in Syria (approximately 6% of the total population), Hafez adopted a policy of discrimination as well as protectionism when raising and appoint the government member from his immediate family member and among the Shiites Alawi only.
According to history, Hafez al-Assad is a leader who is always cruel because he is bloodthirst Islamist fighters who opposed the reins of government. In particular conflict, He starts with who opposed his government rule. Nevertheless, why does many Syrian hated and opposed his government rule?

Party Baath

Ba'ath party, Arab political party mainly reside in Syria and in Iraq. The Baath Party was founded in 1947 by Michel Aflaq, a Syrian teacher, whose brand of radical Arab nationalism won supporters across the region. (Khadduri & D. Roberts,, 1987)The party's early slogan "unity, freedom, socialism" attracted a generation of Arab political activists who wanted to overthrow the European-backed governments of the Middle East and create a modern industrial economy (Monitoring, 2012). Baath Party in Syria continues to lead by Hafez a dictator is a secular party. Its main ideological objectives are secularism, socialism, and pan-Arab unionism. Founded in Damascus in 1941 and reformed, with the name Ba'ath, in the early 1950s, it rapidly achieved political power in Syria. But the presidential election that time was conducted in a referendum and not through democratic elections. Moreover, Hafez al-Assad used the Baath Party to help control the Syrian government and military. That is why many Syrian feel it was unjust and mad at him especially from sunni people that comes many movement like Syrian Muslim Brotherhood (SMB) and other Sunni Islamist groups.
Nevertheless, over the next two decades, the Baath Party remained hugely influential, but real power was increasingly collected in the hands of President Assad, his family, close advisers, the military and security services. Assad and the Ba'athist party remained at Syria's political helm until 2000, when he was succeeded by Bashar al-Assad, his son. Despite this, in the eyes of many Syrians the party embodied the corruption, nepotism and stagnation that became so widespread. The Baath Party has been a target of anti-government demonstrations across Syria.

The Syrian Muslim Brotherhood (SMB)

Ikhwanul Muslimin or The Syrian Muslim Brotherhood (SMB), play important role in Syrian historical conflict. Brotherhood's wakeup call is because they are no longer restrained by the repression conducted by the regime of Hafez, many Syrian feel it so. Hence, they create city of Hama as a center of operation of their work. Syrian Muslim Brotherhood (SMB) is a Sunni Islamist groups spearheaded by their faiths are Ahlul Sunnah wal Jamaah, makes this revolution seems to Sunni against Shia revival. Their movements seem to be bearing fruit as more Syrian rise up against cruelty of Hafez.
Hence, during the 1970s, relations between the SMB and President Hafez Assad (r. 1970-2000) deteriorated into large-scale violence called Hama massacre (Talhamy, Spring 2012) Hafez cruelty peak that occurred in 1982, when Hafez ordered the Syrian army troup to eliminate the rise of the Muslim Brotherhood in Syria, based in the city of Hama. They were based in Hama back years ago, but now exist in exile because they was no longer able to work openly inside Syria.
Moreover, SMB has created many coalition with the same ideology , fight Bashar As Assad and his gangs. One of them and the parents of the organisation is the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood
Hence, despite on the long history of Assad Regime cruel government under Baath Party rule and as well as conflict with Syrian Muslim Brotherhood. Many Syrians complained about high unemployment, widespread corruption, a lack of political freedom and state repression under President Bashar al-Assad, who succeeded his father, Hafez, in 2000






Government Era Bashar al-Assad

Figure 2 Bashar Al-Assad
The Syrian government now drove by President Bashar al-Assad. Bashar al-Assad's ( Figure2 ) rise to the throne of Pharaoh Syria was not planned actually. At first, the pound Hafez train his eldest son, Bassel al-Assad to replace him. However, the destiny God determines everything when Bassel died in a tragic road accident. The car crash, the one that killed his older brother, Bassel, in 1994. (ROSS, 2013) So, Bashar, at the age of 34 years became president began to be given the job, trust and positions in the army and the Syrian regime. (Angelpakaigucci, 2012)
After his father's death in 2000 due to pneumonia, Syrian President Bashar appointed a new one without any resistance. But many oppression comes next and Bashar also been brutally rule just like his father. One of the evidence of Bashar cruelty, which become originators to the war between Sunni is like the simple story that happen in kindergarten.
Initiator of Conflict Syria war between Sunni or Syria Resolution
It all started when a group of children in a kindergarten that their kindergarten graffiti that read, "We Want The Government Drop!" When this is known by dogs of Bashar, these children were arrested and tortured, including by revoking their nails. Some even died from severe torture against them.
So their mistreatment and torture was likely the spark that ignited Syria's civil war just like another cases of 13-years old Hamza that being arrested and killed by the Bashar Syrian security forces. Next, Many evidences comes as the torture in Syrian prisons, long known as some of the worst in the world, is now "rampant" according to a report by Human Rights Watch. (Hugh Macleod & Annasofie Flamand, 2011)
More example of the saying: " Hamza has become a symbol of the Syrian revolution," said Radwan Ziadeh, an exiled Syrian human rights activist and a visiting scholar at George Washington University. His death, he said, "is a sign of the sadism of the Assad regime and its security forces." From hundreds, to thousands, and eventually millions of people turn to the resurrection of Syria Interestingly, the Syrian uprising spearheaded by the wing Ahlul Sunnah wal Jamaah, makes this revolution seems to Sunni against Shia revival.

Figure 3 kindergarten cases
Eventhough, the story above seems not reliable at first . How can illogical kinds uprising massively triggered by innocent children in kindergarten and Hamza. As if you were reading a fairy tale that is played to you as a child before going to sleep. But that is the reality and many propaganda and lies spread out there to confuse Muslims and the world about what really happened. Though, of course the course of events are originators, only the sparks and not the cause of the Syrian revolution where the Syrian people rise up against the oppression of the regime of Bashar al-Assad. To date, thousands of lives have been killed since the Syrian revolution erupted since 5 years ago and many cruelty and ridiculous things happened under Bashar Regime.
Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
"The United States and some European allies are using defense contractors to train Syrian rebels on how to secure chemical weapons stockpiles in Syria", a senior U.S. official and several senior diplomats told CNN Sunday. ( CNN Report, December 9, 2012) Though, ISIS in Syria certainly is mysterious in part because it is combined so many things at once. It using Islamic piety and symbolism of Islam but also backed up by the undeniable violent act by Syrian Government to topple the Sunni people. Nevertheless, I would say, ISIS role is certainly just to create more chaos and terror in Syria.
Clarify the Conflict Situation
Back to the question of what were the causes of conflict that had brought misery to the Syrian people? The war sparks by the abused of power from the government and military arm forces, widespread corruption, a lack of political freedom and state repression. Plus, the chaos disrupted again by ISIS and interference of US. The Syrian Revolution would declare as Open Conflict because of deep-rooted, visible and require actions
All in all, more importantly, the conflict has become as a whole humanity concern, unsettled and escalating During Assad Regime and the so-called Islamic State ISIS , we can address the conflict as Escalating Conflict as refers to a situation in which levels of tension and violence are increasing. Proven by their open massacre to anyone whom opposed the government .
We could as well as relate with Principled Negotiations Theory – assumes that conflict is caused by incompatible positions or 'zero sum' view.

What can we do?
My suggestion to stop the conflict is where we can combine of all the method or approaches where some of them has been done and in progress.
Conflict Prevention – aims to prevent the outbreak of violent conflict
We may not only give humanitarian aid but we need to put an military option to solve the Syrian crisis as we know how cruel the As Assad Regime governance and their intractability.
If not the other way around, Bashar al-Assad's Cease-fire
Bashar al-Assad's regime accountable for the use of chemical weapons and any kinds of ridiculous weapon as it must and should be stopped. Moreover, the Assad Military arm forces and all their prison must been taken down and turn over to a new one as remove all the cronyism happen in Assad Regimes. Balance of power or perhaps change in relative military capability that seek regional dominance.
Conflict Settlement – aims to end violent behavior by peace agreement
Because of the long historical war between Syrian Government and the Islamic group of people that often accuse as the Sunni is certainly not easy to settle by the peace agreement only like coffee tabletalk. Many nonviolence cannot buy freedom from violence by others or a just resolution of a dispute. For example the OSLO Peace agreement of Palestin-Israel that never dampen the war until now as well as . However, the violence from other countery towards violence also may not necessarily the solution. I agree that in some situations nonviolence may be an effective strategy for waging conflict, as in the successful Black civil rights demonstrations of the 1960s in America or the successful nonviolent, civil disobedience movement for Indian independence from Britain begun by Mahatma Gandhi in 1922. So, the peace agreement should be made from the country all over the world transcend religion, race and culture in the name of humanity. No matter what the beliefs is either Shiah or Sunni , either islam or christian. The Syrian civil war is now, a regional and international conflict. So, the mediation by the Arab League and the United Nations need to be done. Next, all the middle east country as well as all international organizations should make a stern decision to offer the peace agreement that can tension Syria government. We have now like United Nations Supervision Mission in Syria (UNSMIS) , Free Syrian Army , Lebanese group Hezbollah. Moreover, Russia and China , should use their big power backed up the anti-government group the Sunni not the other way around. According to the huffington post, Russia vetoed a UN Security Council resolution, this time backed by China, that proposed sanctions on Syrian officials linked to blistering chemical arms attacks. Useless.
Hence, we may win the agreement by declare, pressured up all the violence of the arm forces in the Syria prison and light up the Bashar Leadership as a "war-makers" as well as power distance of Assad Regime leadership using any means. Such as invoke into new international policy or international Law. The new peace policy between the Syrian Government and their own people must to end the abuse of Government power."

Conflict Management – aims to limit and avoid future violence by promoting positive changes
Hence, We will not only promote peace but detailing and promote the ideas that can invoke peace which is Freedom of movement, Dignity, Security thorough communication activities. In a way, a universal coalition drove by the United States has should stop focuses of the so-called ISIS group but fight the Syria government or the particular Bashar As Assad Regime.
Conflict Resolution – addresses the causes of conflicts and seeks to build new relationship between hostile groups
Bashar As Assad need to reconstruct his relationship between Syrian government and between his own people and not the ISIS. In addition, I would say the case of United States interference in the Syrian War also need to be redefined their goals between the Syrian Government not the ISIS. Plus, United Nation UN is the one that initiate the negotiation of the resolution.
Conflict Transformation – addresses the wider social and political sources of conflict
We do not know much about the issue of Syria for this reason the media is controlled by the regime of Bashar Assad. While, the other media sources are not allowed into Syria to cover the event. Hence, the need of the wider social and political sources of conflict is necessary as not depends on one or two media sources only while International organization around the world should stern to focus on the real media of information . Moreover, we could using wider tools of media report such as international journal, Non-governmental organizational movement updated article, trusted websites, as well as many wider newspaper branded.
All in all to conclude, the in-progress approaches that has been done by all over the country coalition like United Nation peacemaking and resolution . They need to redefined the act now with the right interference of US military arm forces. In a conclusion, act now, because of the level of crisis, because of the lack of time. And because urgent responses are needed so urgently, if we don't act or aren't acting, it must be that we don't care.