The Arab Spring and its prognosis

It is a fact that the year of 2011 will be remembered as the year that ended the dictatorship of several Middle Eastern countries. The hostilities that led to the disposal of several governments started on January 25 when the people started a non-violent campaign with demonstrations and marches.

Millions of Egyptians of different socio-economic and religious backgrounds demanded the end of the dictatorship of Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak. The demonstrations escalated and Tahrir Square became the icon of the protesters. During the uprising the capital city of Cairo was turned into a war zone, until Mubarak resigned from his post on February 11, thus ending the revolt. Currently Mubarak is ill while being trialed for his crimes against humanity.

Soon Libya followed the demonstrations in order to be free from the three decades of tyrannical dictatorship of Muammar Gadhafi. However, the insurrection in Libya spawned several revolts in different estates of the country, mainly in Sirte and Tripoli. The Libyan National Liberation Army captured and killed Gadhafi on 20 October 2011. Since then the country is restructuring a democratic system.

Meanwhile the Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh also faced riots that demanded his immediate exit as leader. Unlike his former associates, Mubarak and Gadhafi, Saleh opted for a peaceful transition after signing a decree for his resignation. However, the people do not want Saleh free and without paying for his acts.

During the insurrection upheaval in the Middle East, the president of Syria, Bashar al-Assad continues to face several demonstrations. The country’s security forces have violently tried to submit them, leaving a death toll of more than 4,000 casualties. The demonstrations for al-Assad resignation still continue. (AV)