Syrian President Bashar Assad is fighting a rearguard battle on two fronts: to quell the rebellion that has engulfed his nation, as well against as the mounting international approbation of his violent crackdown on protestors. Reports surfaced on Monday that Assad had signed an order forbidding his cousin Brig.-Gen Atef Najib, the former head of Political Security in the city of Deraa, from leaving Syria. Atef was reportedly involved in violence against demonstrators. Likewise, Assad forbade former Deraa governor Faisal Kalthoum from leaving the country. Judge Mohammed Deeb al-Muqatran of the Special Judicial Committee said the travel ban is precautionary in order for Najib to be available for questioning. Al-Muqatran was quoted as saying on Monday that "no one has immunity, whoever he is". The judge added that both former senior officials were involved in events that violated Syrian law. Kuwaiti newspaper Al Rai al Am reported Monday that Assad met last Friday with a delegation of leaders from the Syrian border town of Jaber. According to the report, Assad told the delegation that if he became absolutely convinced beyond any doubt that the Syrian people had truly tired of his rule, he would step down. Meanwhile, reports continue to surface of atrocities committed by Syrian armed forces against residents in the town of Jisr Al Shughour. Arabic satellite news channels have broadcast footage of alleged mass graves across the country. One theory making the rounds is that the graves are filled with the bodies of Syrian soldiers who were executed for attempting to desert. Other reports indicated that senior Iranian security officers had arrived in Damascus to assist Assad's regime in putting down the uprising. In Israel, Chief of General Staff Lt.-Gen. Benny Gantz said Monday that "We are seeing the Middle East change before our very eyes, and even the Syrian President doesn't know what his country will look like tomorrow." "The State of Israel and the IDF will have to adapt to the new realities. As an army, it is our duty to be prepared for any challenge," Gantz said.
Gantz: 'Not even Assad knows where Syria is headed'
"Israel has to adapt to new realities," chief of staff says. Mass graves discovered across Syria, possibly of army deserters. Reports continue to surface of atrocities committed by Syrian troops against residents of Jisr Al Shughour.
