Germany Pressures Assad as More Violence Erupts in Syria

The Syrian city of Homs resembles a war zone today. Syrian government forces barraged the city with heavy artillery, striking a hospital and other buildings. Homs is at the heart of the country’s anti-government uprising, and so far neither the protesters nor Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has backed down.

The violence in Homs comes two days after Russia and China vetoed a United Nations resolution that would have condemned the Syrian government for its violent repression and called for a peaceful transition of power. Over the past couple of days, world leaders have expressed outrage at the veto. The United States has closed its embassy in Damascus, the Syrian capital, and has recalled all American diplomats from the country.

Meanwhile, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said that Germany and its allies will continue to pressure President Assad, saying “there is no future for President Assad” and that Assad should “allow for a peaceful transformation in his country.”

Western countries have been working to push the Syrian president out of office after a decade of autocratic rule. But Assad has received support from Iran, which views Syria as a key ally for Tehran’s regional hegemony.

The Trumpet has forecast that the unrest in Syria will eventually lead to a break in Iranian-Syrian relations. Also, watch for Germany to take on a more forceful role in Syria, and for U.S. influence to continue declining in the region.