2013 Briefing Book - Print Version - Aipac

SYRIA-LEBANON
The Syrian Regime Has Long Used Violence as a Tool
The violence of the Syrian regime extends both inside and outside the country. Syria has been
a charter member of the U.S. list of designated State Sponsors of Terrorism since the list’s
inception in 1979. Since March 2011, the regime has killed more than 60,000 citizens and jailed
and tortured countless more. The Assad regime has provided financial, political and diplomatic
support to numerous terrorist groups, including Hizballah, Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad
and Iraqi insurgents. Syria’s continued support of terrorism undermines U.S.-led peace efforts in
the region.
Assad Government Brutally Suppresses Democratic Protests
Since protests began in the middle of March 2011, Assad’s security forces have slaughtered more
than 60,000 civilians and have overrun protester strongholds. Thousands have been jailed and
tortured without due process. Activists report that more than 40,000 people remain missing,
likely detained as part of the crackdown. Syrian President Bashar Assad also unleashed regime
sponsored gangs—known locally as “sahbiha,” or ghosts—to terrorize the public, and Syrian state
media have encouraged its supporters to attack the U.S. and French embassies in Damascus.
The Syrian regime has brutally suppressed demonstrators calling for a new government.
158