WSJ: Protests & Lawlessness grow (hand in hand) in Syria

'the biggest protest here yet'

"... "The longer the protesters continue to defy the regime and its security forces, the more scope there will be for general lawlessness," said a senior Western diplomat in Damascus. "This could undermine the regime which has consistently trumpeted its ability to provide stability."

Daily antigovernment protests increased this week and Friday's demonstrations on the day of prayer drew crowds that some activists estimated to number a half-million (see photo above: it clearly shows close to a Quarter million demonstrator!) Such numbers aren't possible to verify... Videos posted on a central activist Facebook page showed protesters in Homs holding up red cards calling for Mr. Assad to go and shouting, "the people want to topple the regime." (heard for the first time!) Gunfire and tear gas was widely used in the city ...

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton warned again Friday that the Syrian regime has limited time left to usher in reforms... A significant constituency in Damascus and Aleppo, however, have remained loyal to Mr. Assad—primarily for the social, economic and political stability his regime has brought...

"I've been adding a wall around my house although the bricks have tripled in price and builders are demanding a higher wage," says one old-city trader in Damascus. "It's so much faster when you don't need to get permission." Syrians blame the protesters for the deteriorating obedience to the law, although activists claim the government's actions are to blame....

While the majority of protests are peaceful, in towns including Tel Kalakh close to the Lebanese border, residents admit to fighting government forces with weapons smuggled in from Lebanon. Both guns and rocket-propelled grenades were used against tanks after the army moved in in May, according to residents and diplomats in Damascus. Reports have emerged from other cities, too, of frustrated protesters killing security forces...

Growing lawlessness would open space for increased chaos in the country, playing into a government narrative that has blamed armed gangs and saboteurs for the violence and leading to the potential forming of militias or organized local revolts, analysts say..."