Mouawiya Syasneh’s graffiti in 2011 in Daraa led to a national uprising against Bashar al-Assad, initiating a civil war that devastated Syria. The government’s brutal crackdown and rise of extremist factions marked this conflict. Today, renewed uprisings challenge Assad’s regime as the future of Syria remains uncertain.
In 2011, a teenage act of defiance in Syria started a civil war that altered the nation’s future. Mouawiya Syasneh, then 14, spray-painted a wall in Daraa with graffiti targeting President Bashar al-Assad. The message, “Ejak el door, ya doctor” (It’s your turn, Doctor), became a significant catalyst for a national uprising, leading to a brutal civil conflict.
Syasneh’s act, born out of frustration towards local police harassment, quickly garnered violent retaliation from the state. The Mukhabarat, Syria’s secret police, detained him and his friends for 26 days, during which they were reportedly tortured. The anger in Daraa escalated as parents and activists protesting for the boys’ release faced tear gas and live ammunition.
The release of the graphic images of the abused teens ignited widespread protests, marking the beginning of Syria’s revolutionary wave. On March 15, 2011, the first national “Day of Rage” emerged, evolving from local demonstrations to a nationwide call for freedom and the end of Assad’s rule.
In response, the government launched a severe crackdown. Security forces targeted peaceful protestors, leading many to arm themselves in retaliation. This movement, inspired by successes in Tunisia and Egypt, escalated into a violent conflict, paving the way for the rise of armed factions as opposition forces learned to organize against a military regime.
The Free Syrian Army (FSA) formed in July 2011 from military defectors but struggled with internal disunity and resource limitations. This opened the door for extremist groups like Jabhat al-Nusra and the Islamic State to exploit Syria’s chaos, deepening the conflict and sectarian divisions.
Twelve years after the initial graffiti, Syria remains devastated, with over 500,000 deaths and 13 million displaced citizens. Recently, renewed uprisings have emerged against Assad’s regime, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). These factions have notably captured important cities, including Damascus.
Reports indicate that Assad has abandoned Damascus for an undisclosed location, with conjecture that he may seek refuge in Tehran, where Iran, his longstanding ally, could provide him safety as Syria’s future hangs in the balance.
The initial act of rebellion by Mouawiya Syasneh exemplified how a small, localized struggle against authoritarianism can spark widespread conflict. From that graffiti, a significant civil war ensued, resulting in vast humanitarian crises and altering the geopolitical landscape of Syria. Current uprisings against Assad suggest that the desire for change remains robust even after years of conflict.
Original Source: www.ndtv.com
