Political and Social Unrest Escalates to Violence in Middle East

Syrian Protests Turn Violent

	Protesters in Syria have been calling for political reforms, civil rights and the release of political prisoners.

Situated between the Mediterranean Sea and Iraq, Syria is a Middle Eastern country with a history of revolutions and has been under emergency law since 1963. Defined as a secular socialist state, President Bashar al-Assad initially was in favor of constitutional reforms as the wave of North African and Middle Eastern revolutions began. Acknowledging the “new era” sweeping across the Arab world, al-Assad agreed that Arab rulers need to do more to accommodate their citizens' rising political and economic aspirations.

Despite al-Assad’s statements, protestors have been calling for political reforms, the reinstatement of civil rights, the release of political prisoners and the end to the state of emergency. Through mass demonstrations and even reports of one protester setting himself on fire, Syrians are demanding immediate changes. In response to these protests, international human rights organizations are reporting that hundreds of people have been kidnapped and many more killed.

The Syrian cabinet agreed to resign amid protesters’ demands, and a new cabinet is expected to be formed within 24 hours. However, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad remains in power.

Civilians Detained in Bahrain

	In Bahrain, the relationship between Shi'ite and Sunni Muslims is playing a major role in the protests.

A wave of revolts has also started in the small island country of Bahrain. Located just off the coast of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain is home to roughly 807,000 people and is governed by a constitutional monarchy in which power is split between a king and a parliament.

Led by King Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifah, Bahrain is religiously and politically divided between two opposing Islamic groups, the Shi’ites and the Sunnis. While Shi’ites constitute more than 60 percent of the total population in Bahrain, they represent fewer seats in parliament. The Sunnis have been in the political majority since Bahrain switched from being an emirate to a kingdom in 2002.

Spats between the Shi’ites and the Sunnis have been ongoing for many years but are becoming exceedingly violent. Shi’ites who claim repression by the ruling Sunni majority blame the Sunni leadership for inequalities in housing, health care and job opportunities, and are angered by Al Khalifah’s inaction on these issues. Inspired by the popular revolutions in Egypt and Tunisia, Bahraini citizens are now pushing for democracy as a result of these social injustices.

Earlier this month the Sunni and Al Kalifah leadership imposed “martial law” (the appointment of military authority over a country in emergency situations) in hopes of achieving civil obedience by quashing the pro-democracy protests held by mostly Shi’ite-led groups. The military stronghold in place has resulted in increased violence in the country. It was reported on Monday that the military rule has led to the detainment of 250 Bahraini people and the misplacement of another 44 civilians. Some of those reportedly missing have turned up dead in the streets.

Yemeni President Suppresses Anti-Government Demonstrators

	Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh refuses to step down from his post before scheduled elections take place in 2013.

Located in the southern-most part of the Arabia Peninsula in the Middle East with a population of approximately 24 million people, Yemen is the poorest country in the region with over a third of the population living on $2 a day or less. Yemeni citizens not only suffer from extremely low income but also from limited water resources, shortages in food and lapses in basic government services, like the construction of proper roadways. 

Many blame Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh for the ongoing strife in the country, and protesters are taking to the streets demanding his removal from power immediately. Saleh, however, refuses end his 32-year rule by stepping down before the next elections, scheduled to take place in 2013.

Aware of his deteriorating control over the country, Saleh has enlisted the help of many tribal leaders in Yemen, many of whom have ties to the terrorist organization Al-Qaida, to maintain power over the Yemeni people. This alliance has escalated the violent crackdowns against opposition leaders and innocent Yemeni civilians alike. Since the anti-government uprisings began in January, more than 80 people have been killed in Yemen.

Despite Violence, Protesting Persists

	Protesters across the Middle East were inspired by what took place in Egypt, when the country's longtime president stepped down and met protesters' demands.

In all three countries -- Syria, Bahrain and Yemen -- social upheaval continues even as the brutality used to stifle the protests intensifies. While the governing powers in all three countries have transitioned to more popularly influenced systems in recent years, citizens remain unsatisfied with their partial say in government.

Seeing the success of the Egyptian and Tunisian revolutions, which both ended the long-standing regimes of authoritarian leaders, oppressed groups in Syria, Bahrain and Yemen are remain driven by the hope that they will achieve similar results.