The Syrian popular movement has witnessed an increasing mobilisation in recent weeks – the most important since last summer – despite the continuous violent repression. Defections within the army are still happening on a growing scale. Ten months after the beginning of the revolution – and despite the 6000 martyrs – the popular movement is continuing, though there are profound political divisions among the opposition.
The divisions among the opposition
The two most well-known political opposition groups are Syrian National Council (SNC) and National Coordination Committee for Democratic Change (NCCDC), in addition to the Local Coordinating Committees and other groups on the ground. Many political groups are not yet represented by the two main opposition groups.
The attempt to unite the opposition failed after the SNC withdrew from the deal. This came a few days after signing an agreement with the NCCDC on a common political program which refused a Western military intervention in Syria. Many in the SNC, especially the liberals and the Muslim Brotherhoods linked to the Western powers, rejected this agreement because it refused any foreign military Western intervention.
Both groups have been the target of criticism from Syrians for their constant attacks on each other – and for being more interested in power than helping in practical ways the struggle of the popular movement on the ground.