Syria: Support for the Assad government is rapidly collapsing and the regime's end seems imminent

Bashar al-Assad

As fighting rages in Damascus, and the Assad family that has ruled Syria for four decades struggles for its life against a growing uprising, a picture is emerging of a tight inner Assad group determined to fight its way out of this crisis, even while support for the government is quickly eroding..

President Bashar al-Assad, who inherited power from his father in 2000 and who friend and opponent alike say appears increasingly detached from reality, is  convinced he is fighting a conspiracy against him and Syria.

Around Assad is a tight circle of family and clan members, and a security establishment staffed mainly by adherents of the Alawite minority to which the Assads belong, a branch of Shi'ite Islam in a country that is three quarters Sunni. 

Support for Assad in outlying cities and even in the capital Damascus is quickly falling apart  and residents say the only sign of any government presence are some tanks and armored personnel carriers stationed on main roads. Traffic and ordinary police are nowhere to be seen. 

In Damascus rebels are now manning many checkpoints, blocking streets and clashing with government troops. This which would have seemed  impossible only a few days ago, say observers.

Curtain time for the Assad family could come very soon.

EU-Digest