From: Middle East Update < To: <[email protected]> Subject: Middle East Update - May 4-18, 2011 Date: Thu, 19 May 2011 15:21:21 +0000 Importance Normal Middle East Update May 4-18, 2011 Syria Footage of Syrian soldiers refusing to shoot unarmed protesters has surfaced on Facebook and YouTube. The number of defectors, however, is small, and those concerned are mainly low-ranking. Unlike Egypt—where the army was relatively independent—the Syrian military, made up mostly of Alawite and Christian senior officers, remains at the core of the regime. Syrian security authorities have escalated their arrest campaign in an attempt to stem the growing uprising. Insan, a human rights advocacy group, said it has documented the arrests of 2,434 people across the country, and is in the process of verifying the fate of 5,000 others. The regime is now also reportedly targeting key activists in an attempt to constrain the opposition movement by removing its potential leaders. The Syrian army began preparing for greater crackdowns in the cities of Banias and Homs last week. The northern and southern entrances to the city of Banias were closed, as heavily armored security forces moved to regain the center of town, which has been under protesters' control. In Homs, the military fired tank rounds at the neighborhoods of Bab Amr and Aldubiyeh, both of which have persistently protested for reforms. Military tanks have also been directed to the cities of Hama and Tall Kalakh. Citizens of Tall Kalakh are seeking refuge from tank fire in bordering Lebanon. Sectarian tension also appears to be mounting in Syria. Some in the opposition argue that they are defending Sunni Islam against "heathens." Moreover, they claim that Assad's regime is using elements from Muqtada Sadr's Mandi Army, Hezbollah, and Iranian sharp-shooters in suppressing the protest movement. The Assad regime believes that Banias is heavily infiltrated by the Salafis. Supposedly, Syrian security forc