Stories about Middle East & North Africa from March, 2011
Syria: Reports of Mass Killings, and a Blogger and a Journalist Disappear
The crackdown on protesters in Daraa, Syria continues. At dawn, a special army unit reportedly killed at least six people during an attack on Al Omari Mosque to disperse protesters using the mosque as a gathering place. At least one blogger has been arrested, while another is missing. Anas Qtiesh has the story.
Africa: Africans want an African solution
Rosebell Kagumire's reaction to Uganda's president's criticism of military intervention in Libya: “Africans want an African solution but current leaders like President Museveni who stifle freedoms in their own borders will not deliver us the much needed African solution. And that’s what North Africa has realized and therefore moved to...
Morocco: The Winds of Change
For the past month, Moroccans have taken to the streets to call for a reform of the constitution and for the establishment of a democratic parliamentary system. On March 20, 2011, the peaceful protests, which took place in cities both large and small, continued, inspiring bloggers in Morocco and the Diaspora to share their thoughts.
Africa: Democracy in Africa
Computer language explanation of the democratic developments in Africa: “IVORY COAST: 60% [Alert: Virus-Gbagbo detected_Trojan Horse-Ouattarra in Quarantine], CONGO: Connection lost since 1997, NIGERIA: Starting Connection, ZIMBABWE: 404 Error – Server not found…”
Syria: Implementing Ushahidi to track protests
Syrian Revolution Map is a new Ushahidi instance launched in Syria to track ongoing protests in several cities based on citizen reports of protests, security patrols, dangerous locations, clashes, and anticipated gatherings. Six protesters have reportedly been killed in Daraa, and dozens have been arrested. The website is in Arabic...
Video: Time Lapse Mapping the Global Protests and Uprisings
John Caelan from the website The Swamp Post has created a couple of time-lapse videos that map protests from December 18 to March 7, 2011, where the protests and uprisings can be seen spreading out into different countries.
Yemen: Game Over for Ali Abdullah Saleh?
Yemen is witnessing mass defections from the Army's top brass, officials, members of Parliament and Ambassadors - who are declaring their support to their country's people's and youth revolution. Is this the beginning of the end of Saleh's regime?
Bahrain: Expats’ Part to Play
Like all GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) member states, Bahrain depends greatly on foreign workforce especially from South Asian countries in both high and low level jobs. According to the Bahrain 2010 census, the expat community makes a slight majority with 51 per cent of Bahrain's 1.2 million strong population. An Indian expatriate shares her thoughts in this post.
China: Gaddafi Has to Go
China's official stance is that Libya's Colonel Gaddafi should be reasoned with through dialogue and other peaceful means; not everyone in China agrees. "Annihiliate him," writes China's most widely-read blogger.
Syria: Protests Continue to Gain Momentum
Monday 21 March, 2011, protests continue in Daraa, in the Syrian south, where five protesters have been reportedly killed yesterday and another one today. While news reports claim that protesters have later on set fire to public buildings, netizens argue that it was the state security forces who have burnt the buildings. Many on Twitter argue that Daraa would be what Sidi Bouzid was for the Tunisians.
Iran:Obama's Nowruz message
President Obama sent a Nowruz (Iranian New Year) message and said “though times may seem dark, I want you to know that I am with you.” Several Iranians write in social networking Balatarin, that Obama named several political prisoners.
Morocco: Peaceful Marches Across the Kingdom
Inspired by the Tunisian and Egyptian uprisings, Moroccans have been taking to the streets since last February 2011, demonstrating week in, week out, calling for a reform of the constitution and for the establishment of a democratic parliamentary system. Peaceful marches were held on Sunday, March 20th, across the kingdom. Minutes of the marches were followed on the Internet via Twitter, Facebook and Youtube.
Palestine: Ongoing Protests for Unity
March 15th marked the beginning of protests for unity between Palestinians and an elimination of the political divisions in Palestinian society; however, on that day, protesters were violently dispersed both in Ramallah and in Gaza. Here are some reactions from Palestinian netizens.
Bahrain: A Video Timeline of Police Brutality
As international media focus shifts toward Libya and the rapidly unfolding events there, Bahrain government is unleashing a violent assault on pro-democracy protesters. Amid the media blackout, citizens are taking their cameras out and capturing the violence the state-run media is carefully concealing.
Lebanon: Anti-Sectarian March on Mother's Day
Trella posts (Ar) the call for the Anti-Sectarian March taking place today, March 20, 2011, and considers it as a gift to all mothers. Mother's Day in Lebanon is celebrated on March 21st, which is also the first day of the Spring Season.
Lebanon: Anti-Sectarian Movement
Isqat Al Nizam (Bringing Down the System) is a blog (Ar) dedicated to the rallies and demonstrations aiming at dismantling the Lebanese sectarian laws and system.
Lebanon: Alliance Controlling Libya's Oil
“Let no one be fooled, these people know no humanity, nor should we want their selective humaneness.” Writes Rami Zurayk in a post criticizing the Western intervention in Libya.
Libya: More Threats from Gaddafi as He Speaks Again
Colonel Muammar Al Gaddafi, who spoke on Libyan television again, threatened a long war, said the coalition would be defeated and that his forces would emerge victorious. Tweeps, who tweeted his speech, said Gaddafi, who has ruled Libya for 42 years, also stressed on religion, in a bid to gain sympathy from Muslims around the world.
Lebanon: Balanced Media
Mustapha criticizes politicians and media who champion some revolutions and ignore others without losing their sense of moral superiority. He concludes: “There is no such thing as independent and balanced media.”
Libya: Gaddafi Threatens as Coalition Starts Air Strikes
Colonel Muammar Gaddafi spoke for three minutes on the phone, in a call which was just broadcast by Libyan State Television, threatening countries around the Mediterranean Basin, and calling for help from Africans and South Americans. His speech comes as a coalition made up of the US and France, among others, have started air strikes against his forces.
Libya: Air Strikes on Libya Begin
Air strikes on Libya, aimed at crippling Muammar Gaddafi's air defenses, just started, receiving mixed reactions from people around the world. A coalition made up of the US, France, Italy, Canada and the US have been formed for the offensive to uproot Gaddafi, whose people have called for his ousting since popular uprisings started in the country on February 16.
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