According to Syrian protesters and activists, as well as regional and international media, today--Sunday July 31, 2011--is thus far the bloodiest and deadliest day of the more than four-month-old Syrian uprising. Numerous accounts and reports have described what can only be considered a dramatic escalation in the Syrian regime`s brutal campaign of repression, including mass arrests, the use of live ammunition, and the shelling of entire neighborhoods. Estimates of today`s death-toll range between 95 and 142, so far. These numbers emerge within the context of an overall death-toll estimated between 1600 and 2000 over the past several months, to say nothing of injuries, arrests, and disappearances.
Analysts are thus far conflicted in making sense of today`s violence. While most argue that it is the beginning of the end for the regime, some see an attempt to reconstitute the wall of fear that fell many weeks ago, and yet others calculate that the sum total of factors, internal and external, might somehow allow the regime to persist for the time being. Irrespective of the "strategy" underlying such violence, one cannot but be in awe of the persistent courage, determination, and discipline of the various components of the Syrian uprising. In spite of the current and sure-to-be increased level of repressive violence, so far, the uprising seems for the most part to be holding firm to the "three no`s" that prominent activist and intellectual Burhan Ghalyoun outlined as the opposition`s points of unity: no to foreign intervention, no to taking up arms, and no to sectarian strife.
Below are some of the headlines (including links) from various media outlets regarding today`s violence:
"136 dead after army storms several Syrian cities." al-Akhbar, Lebanon.
"Scores killed as Syrian Forces Storm Restive Cities." New York Times, US.
"142 killed and tens of injured from the opposition and security [forces] in Syria amidst international criticism." al-Saffir, Lebanon.
"Syrian forces attack 4 opposition strongholds." Los Angeles Times, US.
"Syrian tanks kill protesters in Hama." The Guardians, UK.
""Scores dead" as Syrian tanks storm Hama city." Al-Jazeera English, Qatar.