Today marks the 46th birthday of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The president's birthday comes amid continued violence in Syria, as the Assad regime cracksdown on protesters despite popular dissent and increasing international pressure. The regime's crackdown is considered the most violent response to the “Arab Spring” uprisings that have swept across the Middle East and North Africa this year. Today on Twitter, #Bloodybirthday is trending, as users snidely wished al-Assad a happy birthday. Some stated that they hoped Assad spends his next birthday in The Hague, accounting for his regime's crimes against humanity. The United Nations has estimated that the Syrian regime has killed over 2,200 civilians since popular uprisings started in mid-March. An official death toll is hard to verify, however, as the Assad regime has barred most independent media in the state. The National Organization for Human Rights in Syria, a grassroots Syrian organization, estimates that the civilian death toll now exceeds 3,100. Activists estimate that about 30,000 Syrians have been detained during the uprisings so far, while 1,300 are still under arrest. The head of the Arab League, Nabil al-Arabi, met with Assad in Damascus last Saturday to discuss the possibility for reform. Assad reportedly agreed to enact reforms in Syria, however the pledge comes too late. Protesters across Syria continue to demand the fall of the Assad regime, claiming that free and fair elections cannot take place if the Assad government remains in power. BM
