Since the outbreak of the protests in Syria, the Arab press has published numerous cartoons reflecting the brutality of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad and the impasse in which Syria finds itself, with escalating criticism against the Syrian regime and its murderous policy. The cartoons also criticize the Arab League observers for their ineffectiveness as well as for accepting the account of events presented to them by the regime; however, some cartoons present the positive effects of the Arab League's pressure on Assad. Still other cartoons condemn Iran and its support of the Syrian regime.
The following is a second sampling of cartoons on the Syrian crisis.[1]
Assad's Brutality and Lies
"Assad's New Year celebrations"
Al-Raya (Qatar), January 2, 2012
"I never ordered the killing of civilians!"
Al-Dustour (Jordan), December 8, 2011
"Anyone who kills his own people is a madman!"[2]
Al-Jarida (Kuwait), December 10, 2011
"[I swear] by the lying and conniving Zionist media, it's not me!!"
Al-Ghad (Jordan), December 9, 2011
"The Libyan scenario will not recur!!"
Al-Dustour (Jordan), November 18, 2011
Growing Arab and International Pressure on Assad
Assad squeezed between Arab League and United Nations
Al-Watan (Qatar), December 20, 2011
Arab League hits Assad on the head
Al-Watan (Qatar), November 13, 2011
Arab League throws Syrian regime off its back
Al-Madina (Saudi Arabia), November 16, 2011
Assad running out of time
Al-Arab (Qatar), December 8, 2011
Ineffectiveness of Arab League Observers
Instead of seeing reality, observers watch "movies by the regime"
Al-Imarat Al-Yawm (UAE), December 25, 2011
Blind Arab observer in Syria
Al-Arab (Qatar), December 27, 2011
Arab observers: "All the claims about Syria are lies. We saw nothing."
Al-Akhbar (Algeria), December 27, 2011
"Delegation of Arab observers" makes its way towards Syria
Al-Quds Al-Arabi (London), December 29, 2011
Syrian regime continues shooting over back of Arab observers
Al-Quds (Jerusalem), January 10, 2012
"Killing continues in presence of observers!"
Al-Madina (Saudi Arabia), January 10, 2012
Arab League throws the Syrian people a wooden sword to fight the regime
Al-Sharq Al-Awsat (London), January 10, 2012
Iran-Syria Relations
Iran throws Assad a lifeline
Al-Jazirah (Saudi Arabia), November 8, 2011
Iranian devil desperately tries to keep Assad in place
Al-Jazirah (Saudi Arabia), January 6, 2012
Iran driving Syria into a pit
Al-Sharq Al-Awsat (London), November 24, 2012
[1] For the first sampling, see: MEMRI Special Dispatch No. 4047, "Syrian Uprising and President Assad Depicted in Cartoons," August 4, 2011, Syrian Uprising and President Assad Depicted in Cartoons.
[2] In a recent interview with Barbara Walters on ABC, Assad said: "Only a regime led by a madman would order to kill its own people." Abc.go.com, December 7, 2011.
