"Tonight,twostoriesfrom" "Tonight,twostoriesfrom" "Syria in this special edition" "Syria in this special edition" "Frontline." "Frontline." "First, as the fighting rages," "First, as the fighting rages," "Frontline is embedded with" "Frontline is embedded with rebel leaders." "rebel leaders." "Thisisthefrontline of" "Thisisthefrontline of" "Aleppo." "Aleppo." "You meet people in the morning," "You meet people in the morning, and at the end of the day, and at the end of the day, they're dead." "they're dead." "Withthem,streettostreet," "Withthem,streettostreet, as they fight Assad's army." "as they fight Assad's army." "Wearereturningnow ,after" "Wearereturningnow ,after the attack." "the attack." "It just shows you how brave they" "It just shows you how brave they are, and at the same time, how are, and at the same time, how disorganized they are." "disorganized they are." "Guardicorrespondentfor" "Guardicorrespondentfor" "FrontlinGhaith Abdul-Ahad," "FrontlinGhaith Abdul-Ahad, takes you inside the battle for takes you inside the battle for" "Syria." "Syria." "And later tonight, the regime" "And later tonight, the regime responds." "responds." "Theregimenowisbombarding" "Theregimenowisbombarding civilian neighborhoods with civilian neighborhoods with artillery, with tank fire, and artillery, with tank fire, and with fighter bombers." "with fighter bombers." "HowisPresidentBashar" "HowisPresidentBashar al-Assad holding on to power?" "al-Assad holding on to power?" "TheIraniansaregaining" "TheIraniansaregaining influence in Syria now by the influence in Syria now by the day." "day." "AndwhatwillhappenifAssad" "AndwhatwillhappenifAssad  falls?" "falls?" "Thereisdefinitely" "Thereisdefinitely increasing worry in the United increasing worry in the United" "States administration about in" "States administration about in whose hands these weapons are whose hands these weapons are falling." "falling." "Thesetwostoriesonthis" "Thesetwostoriesonthis  special edition Frontline." "Frontlineismadepossibleby" "Frontlineismadepossibleby contributions to your PBS contributions to your PBS station from viewers like you." "station from viewers like you." "Thank you." "Thank you." "And by the Corporation for" "And by the Corporation for" "Public Broadcasting." "Public Broadcasting." "Major funding is provided" "Major funding is provided by the John D. and Catherine by the John D. and Catherine" "T. MacArthur Foundation," "T. MacArthur Foundation, committed to building a more committed to building a more just, verdant and peaceful just, verdant and peaceful world." "world." "And by Reva and David Logan," "And by Reva and David Logan, committed to investigative committed to investigative journalism as the guardian journalism as the guardian of the public interest." "of the public interest." "Additional funding is provided" "Additional funding is provided by the Park Foundation, by the Park Foundation, dedicated to heightening public dedicated to heightening public awareness of critical issues." "awareness of critical issues." "And by tFrontline Journalism" "And by tFrontline Journalism" "Fund, supporting investigative" "Fund, supporting investigative reporting and enterprise reporting and enterprise journalism." "NARRATOR:" "Guardianreporter" "NARRATOR:" "Guardianreporter" "Ghaith Abdul-Ahad's journey into" "Ghaith Abdul-Ahad's journey into" "Syria began five weeks ago on" "Syria began five weeks ago on a supply route the rebels use to a supply route the rebels use to bring weapons from neighboring bring weapons from neighboring" "Turkey." "Turkey." "Thisisallliberated" "Thisisallliberated territory at the moment." "territory at the moment." "NARRATOR:" "Therebelsare" "NARRATOR:" "Therebelsare  fighting to overthrow President fighting to overthrow President" "Bashar al-Assad." "Bashar al-Assad." "Every night the supply route" "Every night the supply route is attacked by his regime's is attacked by his regime's aircraft and helicopters." "aircraft and helicopters." "Aswe'redriving,wesee" "Aswe'redriving,wesee another car is coming our way." "another car is coming our way." "People crossing back into" "People crossing back into" "Turkey, refugees." "Turkey, refugees." "NARRATOR:" "Ghaithwasonhis" "NARRATOR:" "Ghaithwasonhis way to meet up with the rebels way to meet up with the rebels who were fighting in Syria's who were fighting in Syria's biggest city and commercial biggest city and commercial hub, Aleppo." "hub, Aleppo." "Thisisthemostimportant" "Thisisthemostimportant battle in Syria." "battle in Syria." "Through the battle of Aleppo, we" "Through the battle of Aleppo, we can see the future of the can see the future of the" "Syrian revolution." "Syrian revolution." "NARRATOR:" "Bydawn,Ghaithhad" "NARRATOR:" "Bydawn,Ghaithhad reached a rebel staging post reached a rebel staging post just a few miles outside of just a few miles outside of" "Aleppo." "Aleppo." "Fighters had just arrived fresh" "Fighters had just arrived fresh from battle." "from battle." "They call themselves the Free" "They call themselves the Free" "Syrian Army." "Syrian Army." "Their commander, Abu Bakri, said" "Their commander, Abu Bakri, said they now controlled half the they now controlled half the city but that government forces city but that government forces were advancing." "were advancing." "(translated):" "Thedaybefore" "(translated):" "Thedaybefore yesterday, there was increased yesterday, there was increased artillery shelling and shooting artillery shelling and shooting of mortars and MiG planes of mortars and MiG planes attacked." "attacked." "We've retreated to create a" "We've retreated to create a second defensive line so we second defensive line so we can counterattack." "can counterattack." "NARRATOR:" "AbuBakrinever" "NARRATOR:" "AbuBakrinever expected to be a rebel expected to be a rebel commander." "commander." "(translated):" "I finished" "(translated):" "I finished compulsory military service in compulsory military service in" "2006, and by Allah's grace went 2006, and by Allah's grace went on to study economics at the on to study economics at the" "University of Aleppo." "University of Aleppo." "That was me until the" "That was me until the revolution started." "revolution started." "Takbir." "Takbir." "AllahuAkbar." "AllahuAkbar." "Takbir." "Takbir." "AllahuAkbar." "NARRATOR:" "Ghaithcontinued" "NARRATOR:" "Ghaithcontinued his journey into Aleppo." "his journey into Aleppo." "Abu Bakri said God willing he'd" "Abu Bakri said God willing he'd see him on the front line in see him on the front line in two days." "two days." "Wearebeingsmuggledinto" "Wearebeingsmuggledinto" "Aleppo by rebels and activists." "Aleppo by rebels and activists." "We're taking a long route" "We're taking a long route through side streets, through through side streets, through residential neighborhoods and residential neighborhoods and through villages, and it's a through villages, and it's a very complicated process." "very complicated process." "We have scouts moving ahead of" "We have scouts moving ahead of us." "us." "We crossed a couple of the" "We crossed a couple of the streets, and then we started streets, and then we started hearing the bullets, the hearing the bullets, the shelling, the machine gun fire." "shelling, the machine gun fire." "(machine gun fire)" "(machine gun fire)" "(explosion)" "NARRATOR:" "Ghaithreachedone" "NARRATOR:" "Ghaithreachedone  of the first rebel positions in of the first rebel positions in" "Aleppo." "Aleppo." "Government soldiers had advanced" "Government soldiers had advanced to a building close by." "The rebels were preparing to" "The rebels were preparing to counterattack." "(gunfire)" "Wearewithdrawingnow after" "Wearewithdrawingnow after the attack." "the attack." "They fired into the street, and" "They fired into the street, and after almost half an hour of after almost half an hour of shooting, now they're shooting, now they're withdrawing." "withdrawing." "It just basically shows you how" "It just basically shows you how brave they are-- they go into brave they are-- they go into the middle of the street firing the middle of the street firing at a government position-- yet at a government position-- yet" "at the same time time how at the same time time how disorganized they are." "disorganized they are." "Now we're crossing the street." "Now we're crossing the street." "They're kind of fearing a" "They're kind of fearing a sniper." "The battle of Aleppo is" "The battle of Aleppo is hanging in the balance." "hanging in the balance." "It's being fought over in every" "It's being fought over in every single street, neighborhood, single street, neighborhood, along these front lines." "along these front lines." "The whole city become the" "The whole city become the playground of fighters, of playground of fighters, of tanks, of soldiers." "NARRATOR:" "Backat their" "NARRATOR:" "Backat their command post, the fighters command post, the fighters discovered five of their men discovered five of their men were missing." "NARRATOR:" "Thenthefighters" "NARRATOR:" "Thenthefighters returned." "returned." "With them was a Syrian soldier" "With them was a Syrian soldier who'd just switched sides." "NARRATOR:" "Hewaswelcomedas" "NARRATOR:" "Hewaswelcomedas a hero." "a hero." "(gunfire)" "(cheering)" "(cheering)" "AllahuAkbar!" "(gunfire, explosion)" "NARRATOR:" "Ghaithtraveled" "NARRATOR:" "Ghaithtraveled farther into Aleppo." "farther into Aleppo." "Destroyedbuildings," "Destroyedbuildings, destroyed apartment houses, destroyed apartment houses, festering garbage-- the smell festering garbage-- the smell was killing-- bullet casing, was killing-- bullet casing, debris on the ground." "debris on the ground." "We're just passing very quickly" "We're just passing very quickly from a sniper alleyway." "NARRATOR:" "Hisdestination--a" "NARRATOR:" "Hisdestination--a neighborhood that's seen some neighborhood that's seen some of the fiercest fighting, of the fiercest fighting," "Salahuddin." "Salahuddin." "(gunfire)" "(gunfire)" "We'rereallyon theedgeof" "We'rereallyon theedgeof" "Salahuddin." "Salahuddin." "The Free Syrian Army had been" "The Free Syrian Army had been retreating heavily in the past retreating heavily in the past couple of days-- they've been couple of days-- they've been losing men, they've been losing losing men, they've been losing" "ammunition." "ammunition." "This is the last stand in" "This is the last stand in" "Salahuddin." "Salahuddin." "They've just got reinforcement," "They've just got reinforcement, trying to protect the next trying to protect the next neighborhood after Salahuddin." "neighborhood after Salahuddin." "NARRATOR:" "Themanwho" "NARRATOR:" "Themanwho  coordinates the 150 fighters in coordinates the 150 fighters in this key sector is Abu Mohammed." "this key sector is Abu Mohammed." "AbuMohammedis avery,very" "AbuMohammedis avery,very  important character, a member important character, a member of the Aleppo Military Council." "of the Aleppo Military Council." "Through him brand new" "Through him brand new ammunition, brand new weapons ammunition, brand new weapons are being channeled into the are being channeled into the rebels." "rebels." "NARRATOR:" "Hewasaskingthe" "NARRATOR:" "Hewasaskingthe fighters to stand firm." "(explosion)" "(explosion)" "NARRATOR:" "Untileightmonths" "NARRATOR:" "Untileightmonths ago, he was a captain in the ago, he was a captain in the" "Syrian army." "Syrian army." "Hereisaman who believes" "Hereisaman who believes we're trying to build a we're trying to build a democracy, we're trying democracy, we're trying to build a free Syria." "to build a free Syria." "NARRATOR:" "AbuMohammedagreed" "NARRATOR:" "AbuMohammedagreed to take Ghaith with him as he to take Ghaith with him as he delivered ammunition to the delivered ammunition to the rebel units." "rebel units." "The front line was changing by" "The front line was changing by the minute." "the minute." "Astreetthatwas underthe" "Astreetthatwas underthe control of the rebels in the control of the rebels in the morning can switch sides in the morning can switch sides in the afternoon and the government can afternoon and the government can take over that street." "NARRATOR:" "Theybegantheir" "NARRATOR:" "Theybegantheir journey along the rebel front journey along the rebel front line in the Salahuddin line in the Salahuddin neighborhood." "neighborhood." "He'stryingto coordinateall" "He'stryingto coordinateall  these different units, be it these different units, be it" "Islamist, be it jihadis, be it" "Islamist, be it jihadis, be it secular, be it village-based secular, be it village-based unit." "unit." "The only thing that was" "The only thing that was connecting all these units was connecting all these units was the ammunition delivered by Abu the ammunition delivered by Abu" "Mohammed." "They'vebeendoingthisall" "They'vebeendoingthisall day." "day." "They tour the front lines, they" "They tour the front lines, they go from one position to the go from one position to the other, and they fill the gaps in other, and they fill the gaps in terms of men and ammunition and" "terms of men and ammunition and bullets." "Thisisoneofthemany," "Thisisoneofthemany,  many front lines in Aleppo." "many front lines in Aleppo." "There's a sniper down this" "There's a sniper down this alley." "alley." "There's a position of the Free" "There's a position of the Free" "Syrian Army here and they're" "Syrian Army here and they're trying to get them ammunition." "trying to get them ammunition." "(explosion)" "(explosion)" "It's the scariest sound in a" "It's the scariest sound in a war zone." "war zone." "It's this roar of this tank" "It's this roar of this tank coming down the street, so we coming down the street, so we just run." "just run." "Tank's coming." "We were just around the corner" "We were just around the corner when they were trying to sneak when they were trying to sneak into behind the tank, when the into behind the tank, when the tank just came so close to the tank just came so close to the" "corner and we had to run to corner and we had to run to the car and..." "NARRATOR:" "AbuMohammedmakes" "NARRATOR:" "AbuMohammedmakes this dangerous ammunition run this dangerous ammunition run every day." "every day." "Today's run was successful." "Today's run was successful." "The fighters had held their" "The fighters had held their line." "(translated):" "Mostof our" "(translated):" "Mostof our soldiers are civilians." "soldiers are civilians." "In the army there is a principle" "In the army there is a principle of discipline." "of discipline." "If you order a soldier to do" "If you order a soldier to do something and he doesn't carry something and he doesn't carry it out, you can discipline him." "it out, you can discipline him." "But you can't do that here." "But you can't do that here." "We have no discipline." "We have no discipline." "And this is one of the" "And this is one of the fundamental problems." "fundamental problems." "They don't follow directions;" "They don't follow directions;" "we make plans and they don't we make plans and they don't abide by them." "abide by them." "If they follow 15% of the plans," "If they follow 15% of the plans, that is great." "that is great." "NARRATOR:" "AbuMohammedtooka" "NARRATOR:" "AbuMohammedtooka call from a fighter." "NARRATOR:" "Thefighterwas" "NARRATOR:" "Thefighterwas  pleading for more ammunition." "pleading for more ammunition." "His unit was being attacked by" "His unit was being attacked by a tank." "a tank." "Abu Mohammed sent 300 bullets" "Abu Mohammed sent 300 bullets and two rocket-propelled and two rocket-propelled grenades-- half of all that he grenades-- half of all that he had." "Abu Mohammed then told us about" "Abu Mohammed then told us about the government's strategy." "the government's strategy." "(translated):" "Itsstrategyis" "(translated):" "Itsstrategyis artillery bombardment, the tanks artillery bombardment, the tanks advance, then plant snipers advance, then plant snipers before pulling the tanks back." "before pulling the tanks back." "The snipers' role is to clear" "The snipers' role is to clear the area in front, and then next the area in front, and then next day, the tanks move forward day, the tanks move forward beyond the snipers." "beyond the snipers." "And then the snipers advance" "And then the snipers advance again." "again." "NARRATOR:" "Suddenly,outside" "NARRATOR:" "Suddenly,outside headquarters, there was a new headquarters, there was a new threat." "threat." "Theysaythetankistrying" "Theysaythetankistrying to advance." "to advance." "The guys just scrambled some" "The guys just scrambled some force and they came around the force and they came around the corner here and they're trying corner here and they're trying to stop it." "to stop it." "This is the front line now." "This is the front line now." "The guys are trying to protect" "The guys are trying to protect this corner of the street in the this corner of the street in the battle of Aleppo." "battle of Aleppo." "(gunfire)" "(gunfire)" "NARRATOR:" "A fewstreetsaway," "NARRATOR:" "A fewstreetsaway, a garden had become a a garden had become a frontline cemetery." "frontline cemetery." "This is where the next" "This is where the next casualities would be buried." "casualities would be buried." "(gunfire)" "Close by, a deadly fight had" "Close by, a deadly fight had ended." "ended." "Abu Mohammed's fighters had just" "Abu Mohammed's fighters had just killed two snipers." "NARRATOR:" "Theybelievedit" "NARRATOR:" "Theybelievedit was now safe to retrieve the was now safe to retrieve the bodies of five dead civilians." "bodies of five dead civilians." "A husband's arm was still draped" "A husband's arm was still draped around his wife in a final around his wife in a final attempt to protect her." "attempt to protect her." "Their son lay in the back." "Their son lay in the back." "Didtheydieimmediately?" "Didtheydieimmediately?" "Did they bleed to death?" "Did they bleed to death?" "Did they hear the shots?" "Did they hear the shots?" "How scared were they?" "How scared were they?" "That image, I don't think it" "That image, I don't think it will leave me ever." "will leave me ever." "NARRATOR:" "A sniperopened" "NARRATOR:" "A sniperopened fire." "fire." "The bodies had to remain" "The bodies had to remain unburied." "unburied." "Moments later, to their" "Moments later, to their surprise, the fighters had to surprise, the fighters had to stop this man and his daughters stop this man and his daughters from walking into the line of from walking into the line of" "fire." "fire." "They lived nearby." "Theythinkthemselvesimmune" "Theythinkthemselvesimmune to the shelling, to the snipers to the shelling, to the snipers bullets." "bullets." "They think it only happens to" "They think it only happens to the fighters." "NARRATOR:" "Localscameout to" "NARRATOR:" "Localscameout to buy bread from a bakery." "buy bread from a bakery." "In this city of over two" "In this city of over two million, thousands of people million, thousands of people continue to live in what is a continue to live in what is a battlefield rather than flee to battlefield rather than flee to refugee camps in neighboring" "refugee camps in neighboring" "Turkey." "Turkey." "One man, who didn't want to" "One man, who didn't want to reveal his identity, told us reveal his identity, told us why he was risking his life." "NARRATOR:" "Ghaithsaw" "NARRATOR:" "Ghaithsaw government aircraft, government aircraft, helicopters, and artillery helicopters, and artillery shelling and bombing shelling and bombing indiscriminately." "indiscriminately." "Wesawasmallplanflying" "Wesawasmallplanflying very low, and it curved low into very low, and it curved low into the area and dropped one bomb, the area and dropped one bomb, in the corner of a house, far" "in the corner of a house, far away from where the rebels are." "away from where the rebels are." "It basically shows you how, you" "It basically shows you how, you know, how they're missing the know, how they're missing the rebels but they are actually rebels but they are actually hitting the civilian targets." "hitting the civilian targets." "NARRATOR:" "A localresident" "NARRATOR:" "A localresident berated the rebel fighter for berated the rebel fighter for bringing the battle to his city." "NARRATOR:" "Thatnight,an" "NARRATOR:" "Thatnight,an artillery shell destroyed a artillery shell destroyed a nearby house." "nearby house." "Ithinkthebombingisso" "Ithinkthebombingisso  nerve wracking, you get used to nerve wracking, you get used to the kaboom, the whoosh and the the kaboom, the whoosh and the explosion, explosion," "There's different kinds of" "There's different kinds of explosions." "explosions." "We get used to them." "We get used to them." "But then they fall on a house," "But then they fall on a house, then they fall on an apartment then they fall on an apartment building, then they kill building, then they kill civilians." "civilians." "So it's not only a sound on the" "So it's not only a sound on the background, it has a real impact background, it has a real impact on the population." "NARRATOR:" "Thehouseownerwas" "NARRATOR:" "Thehouseownerwas killed." "killed." "Days before, he'd sent his" "Days before, he'd sent his family to safety." "The next day, reinforcements" "The next day, reinforcements arrived to help defend the arrived to help defend the" "Salahuddin neighborhood." "Salahuddin neighborhood." "They were led by Abu Bakri, the" "They were led by Abu Bakri, the former economics student Ghaith former economics student Ghaith had met on his journey into had met on his journey into" "Aleppo." "Aleppo." "AbuBakriknowswhatheis" "AbuBakriknowswhatheis  doing." "doing." "He is one of those very, very" "He is one of those very, very cool-headed, experienced cool-headed, experienced commanders, and he is very commanders, and he is very methodical in the way he fights methodical in the way he fights his battles." "his battles." "(translated):" "Thisis abomb" "(translated):" "Thisis abomb to destroy a tank." "to destroy a tank." "It's hollow on this side and" "It's hollow on this side and blows out here." "blows out here." "We plant it in the roads" "We plant it in the roads because we don't have the bombs because we don't have the bombs to match what they have." "to match what they have." "We make them by hand." "We make them by hand." "Like these, small or large," "Like these, small or large, according to the target-- according to the target-- anti-tank, anti-personnel or anti-tank, anti-personnel or against buildings." "against buildings." "make the bombs." "NARRATOR:" "AbuBakriand his" "NARRATOR:" "AbuBakriand his  men advanced into no man's land." "men advanced into no man's land." "They wanted to establish the" "They wanted to establish the location of the Syrian army's location of the Syrian army's most forward position." "NARRATOR:" "Someof the" "NARRATOR:" "Someof the fighters believed they should go fighters believed they should go no further." "no further." "But Abu Bakri sensed the tide" "But Abu Bakri sensed the tide was turning, that the government was turning, that the government was pulling back." "(explosion)" "(explosion)" "NARRATOR:" "Therebelsmoved" "NARRATOR:" "Therebelsmoved forward." "NARRATOR:" "They'dfoughtin" "NARRATOR:" "They'dfoughtin this district before, and knew a this district before, and knew a route that passed through route that passed through abandoned houses." "abandoned houses." "The families who'd lived here" "The families who'd lived here had fled in a hurry, abandoning had fled in a hurry, abandoning their possessions." "NARRATOR:" "AbuBakriand his" "NARRATOR:" "AbuBakriand his  men now occupied a position men now occupied a position they'd retreated from a few days they'd retreated from a few days before." "before." "Through the barricade, they" "Through the barricade, they spotted soldiers in the burning spotted soldiers in the burning house." "house." "The Syrian army had pulled back." "(translated):" "Currentlywe" "(translated):" "Currentlywe  control this line." "control this line." "We're trying to advance further" "We're trying to advance further into Salahuddin, or the parts into Salahuddin, or the parts of Salahuddin we've lost." "If we stay optimistic and work" "If we stay optimistic and work hard in the field and on the hard in the field and on the ground, we'll advance, not them, ground, we'll advance, not them," "God willing." "God willing." "Losing is not an option for us." "Losing is not an option for us." "They will lose." "They will lose." "We're trying to regain the areas" "We're trying to regain the areas we lost, God willing." "Thebiggestquestioniswhy" "Thebiggestquestioniswhy the government soldiers are the government soldiers are incapable of taking back these incapable of taking back these streets and neighborhoods." "streets and neighborhoods." "I think they've been stretched" "I think they've been stretched to the limit, and we saw it." "NARRATOR:" "Ghaithreturnedto" "NARRATOR:" "Ghaithreturnedto rebel headquarters." "rebel headquarters." "The fighters had just arrested" "The fighters had just arrested this man and claimed he was a this man and claimed he was a spy." "Amancomestocheckpoint,he" "Amancomestocheckpoint,he blunders, he thinks that he blunders, he thinks that he reached the army checkpoint, so reached the army checkpoint, so he starts praising the he starts praising the government." "government." "He made a huge mistake." "Fromthebuswewere allowed" "Fromthebuswewere allowed to film him." "to film him." "He was treated very well in" "He was treated very well in front of the cameras." "front of the cameras." "Then he was taken by two rebels" "Then he was taken by two rebels into a room on the side of the into a room on the side of the road." "road." "It was a horrific scene." "It was a horrific scene." "I saw them wrapping a gun, a" "I saw them wrapping a gun, a" "Kalashnikov, around his feet." "Kalashnikov, around his feet." "His feet were put up, they made" "His feet were put up, they made a stick out of wires and they a stick out of wires and they start beating him on the soles start beating him on the soles of his shoes-- the falaqa, the" "of his shoes-- the falaqa, the notorious way of torturing notorious way of torturing detainees in the Syrian detainees in the Syrian government." "government." "I saw them putting a bayonet on" "I saw them putting a bayonet on the back of his neck, one man the back of his neck, one man standing on his back, two others standing on his back, two others pulling his hands, so twisting" "pulling his hands, so twisting his back." "his back." "I wonder, is it revenge?" "I wonder, is it revenge?" "Is it because they've been" "Is it because they've been tortured themselves so hard, tortured themselves so hard, because they have lost friends because they have lost friends and relatives and they are and relatives and they are living under shelling, they" "living under shelling, they become basically like the become basically like the monsters they are trying to monsters they are trying to topple." "NARRATOR:" "Thenextday ," "NARRATOR:" "Thenextday , outside headquarters, Syrian outside headquarters, Syrian troops had suddenly reappeared." "Theybelievedthatthiswhole" "Theybelievedthatthiswhole morning, Salahuddin was theirs." "morning, Salahuddin was theirs." "They've took Salahuddin." "They've took Salahuddin." "And then suddenly there was" "And then suddenly there was shooting coming from down that shooting coming from down that street, coming from Salahuddin street, coming from Salahuddin area." "area." "The same thing happened on the" "The same thing happened on the other end of the city." "other end of the city." "NARRATOR:" "AbuMohammedmet" "NARRATOR:" "AbuMohammedmet  commanders from other parts of commanders from other parts of" "Aleppo to strategize." "Aleppo to strategize." "For Ghaith, the meeting was a" "For Ghaith, the meeting was a glimpse into the divisions in glimpse into the divisions in the rebel movement." "The other two commanders are" "The other two commanders are" "Islamists, while Abu Mohammed is" "Islamists, while Abu Mohammed is secular." "secular." "Theyarecooperatingbecause" "Theyarecooperatingbecause they are fighting a common they are fighting a common enemy." "enemy." "They can't afford to question" "They can't afford to question where they are at this moment." "where they are at this moment." "Each of them complains about the" "Each of them complains about the other, and at one point there other, and at one point there will be a clash between these will be a clash between these two forces." "two forces." "Takbir!" "Takbir!" "AllahuAkbar!" "AllahuAkbar!" "Takbir!" "Takbir!" "AllahuAkbar!" "AllahuAkbar!" "(chanting)" "NARRATOR:" "Oneof the" "NARRATOR:" "Oneof the" "Islamists, Sheikh Abdul Rahman," "Islamists, Sheikh Abdul Rahman, showed us the streets in showed us the streets in" "Salahuddin that his fighters had" "Salahuddin that his fighters had managed to reoccupy." "managed to reoccupy." "(tires squealing)" "He said a few days earlier, the" "He said a few days earlier, the" "Syrian army had destroyed this" "Syrian army had destroyed this apartment complex." "apartment complex." "His men hadn't been able to" "His men hadn't been able to rescue the civilians trapped rescue the civilians trapped alive in the rubble." "alive in the rubble." "One of the sheikh's lieutenants" "One of the sheikh's lieutenants led us to another front line in led us to another front line in the battle." "the battle." "Whatwasapopularuprising," "Whatwasapopularuprising, activists, demonstration, activists, demonstration, calling for freedom, democracy, calling for freedom, democracy, is now a vicious war." "is now a vicious war." "The quagmire of the Syrian" "The quagmire of the Syrian revolution is portrayed in the revolution is portrayed in the streets of Aleppo." "NARRATOR:" "Thebodyofa" "NARRATOR:" "Thebodyofa  local imam lay just beyond the local imam lay just beyond the rebel position." "NARRATOR:" "A government" "NARRATOR:" "A government sniper had the street in his sniper had the street in his sights." "NARRATOR:" "A fightertriedto" "NARRATOR:" "A fightertriedto rescue the body." "NARRATOR:" "Eventually,he" "NARRATOR:" "Eventually,he  crawled into danger." "crawled into danger." "The imam's shopping bag was by" "The imam's shopping bag was by his side." "his side." "He had just bought milk for his" "He had just bought milk for his family." "The battle for Aleppo remains" "The battle for Aleppo remains in the balance." "in the balance." "Its outcome, and the future" "Its outcome, and the future shape of the uprising, will be shape of the uprising, will be decided street by street, house decided street by street, house by house." "Comingupnextonthis" "Comingupnextonthis  special edition Frontline, special edition Frontline, how is Bashar al-Assad holding how is Bashar al-Assad holding on to power?" "on to power?" "TheIraniansaregoingto" "TheIraniansaregoingto very great lengths to keep this very great lengths to keep this regime together." "regime together." "Andwhathappensifhefalls ?" "Andwhathappensifhefalls ?" "Thepotentialforittoturn" "Thepotentialforittoturn into a very dark and tough into a very dark and tough ethnic, sectarian fight is very ethnic, sectarian fight is very high." "high." ""TheRegimeResponds"is" ""TheRegimeResponds"is next." "NARRATOR:" "InSyria,thereis" "NARRATOR:" "InSyria,thereis no Arab Spring." "(automatic gunfire)" "Here, there have been no" "Here, there have been no concessions." "concessions." "(explosion)" "As many as 20,000 people have" "As many as 20,000 people have been killed in the fight to been killed in the fight to depose President Bashar depose President Bashar al-Assad, with no end in sight." "The story of what's happened in" "The story of what's happened in" "Syria began here 18 months ago," "Syria began here 18 months ago, as change swept across the Arab as change swept across the Arab world." "In a small farming town south of" "In a small farming town south of" "Damascus, a group of young" "Damascus, a group of young schoolboys sprayed messages on schoolboys sprayed messages on these walls." "these walls." "Theywerecopyingwhat" "Theywerecopyingwhat they'd been listening to in Al they'd been listening to in Al" "Jazeera and other TV channels" "Jazeera and other TV channels covering the Egyptian uprising covering the Egyptian uprising and the Tunisian uprising." "and the Tunisian uprising." "NARRATOR:" "Theboyswere" "NARRATOR:" "Theboyswere rounded up by the government's rounded up by the government's secret police, the Mukhabarat." "secret police, the Mukhabarat." "Their fathers went to see the" "Their fathers went to see the police chief, a cousin of Bashar police chief, a cousin of Bashar al-Assad, and begged him to al-Assad, and begged him to release their children." "release their children." "Herefused." "Herefused." "And he said, "Forget that you" "And he said, "Forget that you have these kids." "have these kids." "Go and make other ones."" "Go and make other ones."" "Andiftheywerenotmen" "Andiftheywerenotmen enough to make children, then, enough to make children, then," ""Bring us your wives, and we" ""Bring us your wives, and we will make children for you."" "will make children for you."" "NARRATOR:" "Imagesof oneboy" "NARRATOR:" "Imagesof oneboy  circulated on YouTube." "circulated on YouTube." "Severalofthechildrenhad" "Severalofthechildrenhad their fingernails pulled out." "their fingernails pulled out." "They were beaten." "They were beaten." "And there were even reports of" "And there were even reports of rape being committed against rape being committed against these children." "these children." "And in a close-knit tribal" "And in a close-knit tribal society like that, there was society like that, there was only one thing they could do." "Thatveryinstanceof" "Thatveryinstanceof repression, of torture, seemed repression, of torture, seemed to galvanize the town itself." "to galvanize the town itself." "Here were the children of the" "Here were the children of the town being mistreated by a town being mistreated by a government that was distant, government that was distant, that had neglected Deraa." "that had neglected Deraa." "And almost from that moment, the" "And almost from that moment, the uprising seemed to gained uprising seemed to gained momentum." "momentum." "NARRATOR:" "Atfirst,inrural" "NARRATOR:" "Atfirst,inrural towns like Homs, Latakia and towns like Homs, Latakia and" "Hama, workers and farmers were" "Hama, workers and farmers were timid in their demands." "timid in their demands." "(men chanting)" "(men chanting)" "Peoplewereaskingfor" "Peoplewereaskingfor  dignity." "dignity." "They were asking for housing," "They were asking for housing, subsidized heating fuel." "subsidized heating fuel." ""We want jobs." ""We want jobs." "We want cheap bread."" "We want cheap bread."" "(chanting)" "(chanting)" "Thegovernmentwastakenby" "Thegovernmentwastakenby surprise." "surprise." "Just weeks before, President" "Just weeks before, President" "Bashar al-Assad had predicted" "Bashar al-Assad had predicted that Syria was somehow immune to that Syria was somehow immune to what's been called the Arab what's been called the Arab" "Spring, but obviously, that was" "Spring, but obviously, that was not the case." "not the case." "And when the uprising did erupt," "And when the uprising did erupt, there was a wave of repression, there was a wave of repression, a wave of crackdowns." "a wave of crackdowns." "(shouting, screaming, gunfire)" "Itisonlywhenthe" "Itisonlywhenthe authorities turned brutal on authorities turned brutal on them, deadly, that they began to them, deadly, that they began to chant that they want a change of chant that they want a change of" "regime." "NARRATOR:" "OutsideDamascus" "NARRATOR:" "OutsideDamascus the calls for President Assad's the calls for President Assad's resignation spread." "resignation spread." "PeopleinDara'astarted" "PeopleinDara'astarted calling out for Homs, Homs calling out for Homs, Homs started calling out for Idlib." "started calling out for Idlib." "And so the more they were" "And so the more they were killings, the more solidarity killings, the more solidarity was created among the Syrians." "was created among the Syrians." "The regime was trying to... to" "The regime was trying to... to crush the protest movement, but crush the protest movement, but in fact what they were doing is in fact what they were doing is that they were spreading it even that they were spreading it even" "more." "NARRATOR:" "ButBasharal-Assad" "NARRATOR:" "ButBasharal-Assad was convinced he had wide enough was convinced he had wide enough support." "support." "There'sstillalot of" "There'sstillalot of" "Syrians who are very loyal to" "Syrians who are very loyal to the regime and frightened of the the regime and frightened of the countryside getting too much countryside getting too much power and taking over and power and taking over and perhaps being too fundamentalist perhaps being too fundamentalist" "and other things for them." "and other things for them." "NARRATOR:" "InDamascusand" "NARRATOR:" "InDamascusand" "Aleppo, government workers and" "Aleppo, government workers and regime supporters were sent into regime supporters were sent into the street to rally for the the street to rally for the president." "Therearemanypeoplethat do" "Therearemanypeoplethat do very well by the Assad regime-- very well by the Assad regime-- minorities in Syria, Alawites, minorities in Syria, Alawites," "Ismaelis, Druze, members of the" "Ismaelis, Druze, members of the" "Sunni bourgeoisie, in Damascus" "Sunni bourgeoisie, in Damascus in Aleppo." "in Aleppo." "So they serve as the backbone of" "So they serve as the backbone of the regime." "NARRATOR:" "Ithadbeenamonth" "NARRATOR:" "Ithadbeenamonth  since the uprising began when since the uprising began when" "President Assad came before" "President Assad came before parliament." "parliament." "Syria's business and political" "Syria's business and political elites showed that they were elites showed that they were behind him." "behind him." "Hewalkedin anditwasall" "Hewalkedin anditwasall very jovial." "very jovial." "There was a lot of clapping and" "There was a lot of clapping and cheering every time he spoke." "cheering every time he spoke." "At one point, one of the members" "At one point, one of the members of parliament stands up and of parliament stands up and says, "Sire, you are such a says, "Sire, you are such a brilliant leader that you should" "brilliant leader that you should not just be the leader of Syria, not just be the leader of Syria, you should be the leader of the you should be the leader of the world."" "world."" "Theexpectation--notonly" "Theexpectation--notonly the popular expectation but the the popular expectation but the expectation of those circles of expectation of those circles of power-- were that Bashar power-- were that Bashar al-Assad was going to stand al-Assad was going to stand" "there and introduce a package of there and introduce a package of reforms that, hopefully, would reforms that, hopefully, would allay these grievances and would allay these grievances and would meet with the popular demands." "meet with the popular demands." "Instead, he stands up there to" "Instead, he stands up there to accuse this entire uprising of accuse this entire uprising of being a foreign conspiracy." "Therewasno senseof" "Therewasno senseof remorse." "remorse." "That's what shocked people." "That's what shocked people." "There seemed to be a complete" "There seemed to be a complete detachment, as if, "Everything's detachment, as if, "Everything's going to be okay." "going to be okay." "My people love me." "My people love me." "And look, my car was being" "And look, my car was being mobbed as I leave the mobbed as I leave the parliament."" "parliament."" "(applause)" "NARRATOR:" "TheAssadfamily" "NARRATOR:" "TheAssadfamily belong to a minority Shia Muslim belong to a minority Shia Muslim sect, the Alawites, that for sect, the Alawites, that for decades have controlled Syria's decades have controlled Syria's military and security forces." "military and security forces." "They were not about to let their" "They were not about to let their power slip away." "power slip away." "Theyhavetheirbacksagainst" "Theyhavetheirbacksagainst the wall." "the wall." "The Alawites, who are about two" "The Alawites, who are about two million people, feel that when million people, feel that when they lose, and if they lose, they lose, and if they lose, they're going to be cast out." "they're going to be cast out." "It'll be like the Sunnis in" "It'll be like the Sunnis in" "Iraq, who were cleaned out of" "Iraq, who were cleaned out of every major government agency." "every major government agency." "Overtime,Basharal-Assad" "Overtime,Basharal-Assad was successful in convincing the was successful in convincing the majority of the Alawites that majority of the Alawites that his political survival is his political survival is synonymous with their physical synonymous with their physical" "survival." "survival." "And they have started seeing" "And they have started seeing this fight in existential terms." "this fight in existential terms." "It'sveryunderstandablewhy" "It'sveryunderstandablewhy" "Alawites would believe today" "Alawites would believe today that if they were to lose, they that if they were to lose, they would lose more than the would lose more than the privileges that the regime has privileges that the regime has had." "had." "They would lose everything." "They would lose everything." "NARRATOR:" "TheAlawites'" "NARRATOR:" "TheAlawites' improbable rise to power in improbable rise to power in" "Syria was set in motion by" "Syria was set in motion by" "Bashar's father, Hafez al-Assad." "Bashar's father, Hafez al-Assad." "His path to power was through" "His path to power was through the military, which was the military, which was dominated by Alawites." "dominated by Alawites." "A rising star in Syria's" "A rising star in Syria's" "Socialist Ba'ath Party, at age" "Socialist Ba'ath Party, at age 40, he engineered a coup to" "40, he engineered a coup to seize the presidency." "seize the presidency." "Hafezal-Assadrosetopower" "Hafezal-Assadrosetopower from the bottom up." "from the bottom up." "He had to fight the battles that" "He had to fight the battles that came with the coup d'états, that came with the coup d'états, that came with trying to corral the came with trying to corral the different forces of the country different forces of the country" "into his camp." "into his camp." "Heknewhe hadtogain" "Heknewhe hadtogain  support of the other support of the other minorities-- the Druze, the minorities-- the Druze, the" "Christians, the Shiites." "Christians, the Shiites." "So he said, "I'm a minority" "So he said, "I'm a minority entity." "entity." "You want to be with me because" "You want to be with me because my interests are your my interests are your interests."" "interests."" "NARRATOR:" "Hafezal-Assad" "NARRATOR:" "Hafezal-Assad secured his power by putting secured his power by putting trusted family members in high trusted family members in high government posts." "government posts." "Thebrotheris in chargeof" "Thebrotheris in chargeof security, the cousins of the security, the cousins of the banking system, in-laws in banking system, in-laws in security as well, and military." "security as well, and military." "So the reality is, this is a" "So the reality is, this is a family business." "family business." "NARRATOR:" "LikeSaddamHussein" "NARRATOR:" "LikeSaddamHussein in Iraq, Assad's Ba'ath Party in Iraq, Assad's Ba'ath Party repressed any ethnic or repressed any ethnic or religious challenges." "religious challenges." "TheBa'athPartypromisedto" "TheBa'athPartypromisedto get rid of sectarianism." "get rid of sectarianism." "He demanded, and for the most" "He demanded, and for the most part the Syrian population was part the Syrian population was receptive to, this Faustian receptive to, this Faustian bargain that the Syrian people bargain that the Syrian people would accept less freedom and" "would accept less freedom and liberty in return for stability." "liberty in return for stability." "NARRATOR:" "Hetookinmillions" "NARRATOR:" "Hetookinmillions in Soviet military aid and in Soviet military aid and formed an alliance with Iran, formed an alliance with Iran, which still endures." "which still endures." "TherelationshipwithIranis" "TherelationshipwithIranis very unusual." "very unusual." "Syria is a secular state ruled" "Syria is a secular state ruled by a secular Arab Nationalist by a secular Arab Nationalist party, the Ba'ath Party." "party, the Ba'ath Party." "Iran is an Islamic republic." "Iran is an Islamic republic." "So they don't seem to be a" "So they don't seem to be a marriage made in heaven." "marriage made in heaven." "But it's a symbiotic" "But it's a symbiotic relationship that's based on relationship that's based on strategic necessity." "strategic necessity." "It'snotaparticularly" "It'snotaparticularly natural alliance, if you will." "natural alliance, if you will." "But for reasons of common enmity" "But for reasons of common enmity towards Iraq, towards Israel and towards Iraq, towards Israel and other regions, they did form other regions, they did form this alliance that has been the this alliance that has been the" "strongest, the most enduring in strongest, the most enduring in the region." "the region." "NARRATOR:" "Butbackinthe" "NARRATOR:" "Butbackinthe early 1980s, while Assad was early 1980s, while Assad was building an alliance with the building an alliance with the new Shiite theocracy in Iran, he new Shiite theocracy in Iran, he was facing resistance from" "was facing resistance from fundamentalist Sunnis at home." "fundamentalist Sunnis at home." "Therewasaveryaggressive" "Therewasaveryaggressive" "Islamic fundamentalist" "Islamic fundamentalist opposition to the Syrian regime." "opposition to the Syrian regime." "There were attacks against" "There were attacks against the regime." "the regime." "It was essentially almost a" "It was essentially almost a civil war." "civil war." "(explosions)" "(explosions)" "NARRATOR:" "TheAssadregime's" "NARRATOR:" "TheAssadregime's response was to attack the response was to attack the stronghold of Syria's Muslim stronghold of Syria's Muslim" "Brotherhood, the town of Hama." "Brotherhood, the town of Hama." "In1982,theSyrianregime" "In1982,theSyrianregime launched one of the worst launched one of the worst massacres in the history of the massacres in the history of the" "Middle East." "Middle East." "The regime used artillery to" "The regime used artillery to level large parts of the town." "level large parts of the town." "Between 10,000 and 30,000 people" "Between 10,000 and 30,000 people were killed or were disappeared." "were killed or were disappeared." "Thatwasaverystarkmoment" "Thatwasaverystarkmoment in which the Alawite-dominated in which the Alawite-dominated regime, the Ba'ath Party, made regime, the Ba'ath Party, made it clear to Syria that it would it clear to Syria that it would" "not brook any opposition." "not brook any opposition." "Itwasaruthless,obviously" "Itwasaruthless,obviously" "Machiavellian way to deal with" "Machiavellian way to deal with the problem, but it did deal the problem, but it did deal with the problem from the with the problem from the perspective of the Syrian perspective of the Syrian regime, because until recently," "regime, because until recently, you really haven't had any you really haven't had any serious Islamist opposition to serious Islamist opposition to" "Hafez al-Assad or his son when" "Hafez al-Assad or his son when he came to power in 2000." "he came to power in 2000." "NARRATOR:" "Basharwasnever" "NARRATOR:" "Basharwasnever supposed to be heir apparent." "supposed to be heir apparent." "But his older brother, Basil," "But his older brother, Basil, was killed in a car accident was killed in a car accident in 1994, and Bashar was ordered in 1994, and Bashar was ordered to come home from his medical to come home from his medical" "studies in London, to be prepped studies in London, to be prepped for the day he would take for the day he would take office." "office." "Weallknewhewasgoing to" "Weallknewhewasgoing to take over." "take over." "We all knew that Hafez al-Assad" "We all knew that Hafez al-Assad was on his last legs, if you was on his last legs, if you want." "want." "You know, he was close to death." "You know, he was close to death." "It was very clear that he was" "It was very clear that he was very ill." "very ill." "And the question was always, how" "And the question was always, how well groomed has Bashar been?" "well groomed has Bashar been?" "NARRATOR:" "Hewasinaugurated" "NARRATOR:" "Hewasinaugurated in July 2000." "in July 2000." "The young doctor, with his" "The young doctor, with his fashionable British-born Syrian fashionable British-born Syrian wife, a former banker at JP wife, a former banker at JP" "Morgan, promised reform." "Morgan, promised reform." "Peopleweregiddywiththe" "Peopleweregiddywiththe idea of reform early on in idea of reform early on in" "Bashar's reign." "Bashar's reign." "He opened up the country to the" "He opened up the country to the" "Internet." "Internet." "He lifted exit permits, which" "He lifted exit permits, which were required for Syrians to were required for Syrians to travel, and he allowed more travel, and he allowed more trade in the country." "trade in the country." "Hesaid,"Wecan openup." "Hesaid,"Wecan openup." "We are going to have some" "We are going to have some private newspapers, private private newspapers, private press, Internet."" "press, Internet."" "And he believed that he could" "And he believed that he could win the hearts and minds of the win the hearts and minds of the people through modernization and people through modernization and let a lot more light in." "Hehadallowedwhatcame to" "Hehadallowedwhatcame to be known as the "Damascus be known as the "Damascus" "Spring."" "Spring."" "He promised reforms, and he" "He promised reforms, and he promised political reforms." "promised political reforms." "And so people began to talk" "And so people began to talk about ideas." "about ideas." "How is Syria going to meet the" "How is Syria going to meet the future?" "future?" "Which path is it going to take?" "Which path is it going to take?" "And there was an era in which" "And there was an era in which there was an open debate, and a there was an open debate, and a healthy one." "healthy one." "Hewasgenuinelypopular" "Hewasgenuinelypopular amongst the young people, who amongst the young people, who hadn't lived through his father hadn't lived through his father and who saw him as a potential and who saw him as a potential" "reformer." "reformer." "And he kept on telling them that" "And he kept on telling them that life is going to get better." "life is going to get better." "And they could see fairly" "And they could see fairly dramatic changes, at least for dramatic changes, at least for the wealthy." "the wealthy." "NARRATOR:" "Itdidn'tlast." "NARRATOR:" "Itdidn'tlast." "Hundreds of activists and" "Hundreds of activists and intellectuals were arrested." "intellectuals were arrested." "Thepoliticalestablishment," "Thepoliticalestablishment, the Ba'ath Party, decided that the Ba'ath Party, decided that if this free political debate if this free political debate was going to continue, they were was going to continue, they were" "going to lose their heads." "going to lose their heads." "And so it was the return of" "And so it was the return of authoritarianism." "authoritarianism." "NARRATOR:" "TheDamascusSpring" "NARRATOR:" "TheDamascusSpring was over." "Six years later, another spring." "Six years later, another spring." "When news of the successful" "When news of the successful revolts in Tunisia and Egypt revolts in Tunisia and Egypt spread, the long-oppressed Sunni spread, the long-oppressed Sunni majority believed their time had majority believed their time had finally come." "In largely peaceful" "In largely peaceful demonstrations across the demonstrations across the country, Syrians defied their country, Syrians defied their president, in spite of president, in spite of increasingly brutal attacks by increasingly brutal attacks by the police." "The center of resistance was the" "The center of resistance was the town of Hama, where Bashar's town of Hama, where Bashar's father had famously crushed a father had famously crushed a" "Sunni rebellion almost 30 years" "Sunni rebellion almost 30 years earlier." "earlier." "Theregimehasaplaybook." "Theregimehasaplaybook." "If you're faced with a crisis," "If you're faced with a crisis, go back to the playbook and see go back to the playbook and see what we did the last time we got what we did the last time we got through a crisis." "through a crisis." "So the last time they got" "So the last time they got through a similar crisis was through a similar crisis was" "Hama." "Hama." "So you have a protest." "So you have a protest." "You have an uprising." "You have an uprising." "You suppress it." "You suppress it." "The playbook does not say" "The playbook does not say negotiate with the protesters, negotiate with the protesters, so there's no negotiation." "Thatoneveryhigh-ranking" "Thatoneveryhigh-ranking" "Turkish official told me that" "Turkish official told me that what's going on inside the what's going on inside the leadership is that Bashar's leadership is that Bashar's mother herself is telling him mother herself is telling him that these are the same events," "that these are the same events, that they remind her of what that they remind her of what happened in the late '70s and happened in the late '70s and early '80s." "early '80s." "And her advice to him is that he" "And her advice to him is that he has to act like his father." "has to act like his father." "He has to be strong, he has to" "He has to be strong, he has to be decisive, and he has to crush be decisive, and he has to crush this element of rebellion this element of rebellion against him." "NARRATOR:" "Basharsentin" "NARRATOR:" "Basharsentin tanks, armored vehicles and tanks, armored vehicles and snipers." "snipers." "Thisishowthe Assads,both" "Thisishowthe Assads,both  father and son, deal with father and son, deal with domestic threats." "domestic threats." "They retreat into their Alawite" "They retreat into their Alawite fortress, and there's this fortress, and there's this convulsive reaction to put down convulsive reaction to put down any sort of domestic threats, any sort of domestic threats, and to put them down ruthlessly." "and to put them down ruthlessly." "NARRATOR:" "Buteventhen,some" "NARRATOR:" "Buteventhen,some  in the leadership questioned in the leadership questioned whether Bashar was tough enough." "whether Bashar was tough enough." "Insomequarters,therewas" "Insomequarters,therewas talk of the fact that your talk of the fact that your father was much harsher, he father was much harsher, he would have used more force, he would have used more force, he" "would have rooted all this out would have rooted all this out right from day one." "right from day one." "You were too lenient on them." "You were too lenient on them." "Therewerecallsatthetime" "Therewerecallsatthetime inside the Alawite community of inside the Alawite community of saying, "We don't want Bashar, saying, "We don't want Bashar, we want Maher," who is Bashar's" "we want Maher," who is Bashar's brother." "brother." "He's the leader of the" "He's the leader of the" "Republican Guard, of the Fourth" "Republican Guard, of the Fourth" "Armored Division, which is the" "Armored Division, which is the most ruthless." "most ruthless." "And I think that's the time then" "And I think that's the time then when the decision has been made when the decision has been made by Bashar and by the people by Bashar and by the people around him that they need to up around him that they need to up" "their game in terms of meeting their game in terms of meeting the rebel movement." "the rebel movement." "(explosion)" "(explosion)" "(shouting)" "(shouting)" "(explosion)" "NARRATOR:" "ThisFebruary,to" "NARRATOR:" "ThisFebruary,to show his resolve, Bashar show his resolve, Bashar al-Assad moved on the country's al-Assad moved on the country's third largest city, Homs." "third largest city, Homs." "Homshasbeenanepicenter" "Homshasbeenanepicenter of opposition to Assad." "of opposition to Assad." "And so he wanted to send a" "And so he wanted to send a lesson to the rest of Syria that lesson to the rest of Syria that he can turn their cities into he can turn their cities into rubble if they oppose him." "rubble if they oppose him." "NARRATOR:" "Homsendured30" "NARRATOR:" "Homsendured30 straight days of shelling." "straight days of shelling." "Most of the artillery was" "Most of the artillery was trained on the predominantly trained on the predominantly" "Sunni neighborhood of Baba Amr." "Sunni neighborhood of Baba Amr." "Youlookat BabaAmr today," "Youlookat BabaAmr today, and it's... it looks like a and it's... it looks like a" "Stalingrad." "Stalingrad." "You know, it's just entire, you" "You know, it's just entire, you know, streets are just know, streets are just flattened." "flattened." "UntilBabaAmr,therewasa" "UntilBabaAmr,therewasa  belief inside the opposition belief inside the opposition ranks that the nonviolence ranks that the nonviolence movement that worked in Tunisia, movement that worked in Tunisia, that worked in Egypt, could" "that worked in Egypt, could still work in Syria." "still work in Syria." "Baba Amr was the beginning of" "Baba Amr was the beginning of the shift." "After that, people were starting" "After that, people were starting to call for jihad, jihad." "to call for jihad, jihad." "(explosion)" "(repeated gunfire)" "(repeated gunfire)" "There'sbeenashift,not" "There'sbeenashift,not just in terms of what the just in terms of what the opposition was willing and able opposition was willing and able to do, but also in terms of what to do, but also in terms of what" "the regime was willing to do the regime was willing to do now." "now." "And we see, then, an continuing" "And we see, then, an continuing escalation." "escalation." "NARRATOR:" "InMay,morethan a" "NARRATOR:" "InMay,morethan a hundred people, including dozens hundred people, including dozens of children, were brutally of children, were brutally massacred in a Sunni village in massacred in a Sunni village in" "Houla, the work of Alawite" "Houla, the work of Alawite paramilitaries." "paramilitaries." "Thiswasthefirstmassacre" "Thiswasthefirstmassacre to come to light as it was to come to light as it was happening." "happening." "And a lot of people were saying," "And a lot of people were saying," ""Oh, well, this is the one" ""Oh, well, this is the one that's going to bring the that's going to bring the international community to international community to support us," you know." "support us," you know." ""Because now they've crossed the" ""Because now they've crossed the red line."" "red line."" "And unfortunately for Syria," "And unfortunately for Syria, even a massacre like Houla did even a massacre like Houla did not bring enough response not bring enough response beyond the usual round of beyond the usual round of condemnations and sanctions." "condemnations and sanctions." "NARRATOR:" "ButPresidentAssad" "NARRATOR:" "ButPresidentAssad blamed the massacre on blamed the massacre on outsiders." "outsiders." "He rejected UN efforts" "He rejected UN efforts to intervene." "(onTV):" "Breakingnewscoming" "(onTV):" "Breakingnewscoming out of the capital, the defense out of the capital, the defense minister has been killed in a minister has been killed in a suicide attack... suicide attack... (onTV):" "Abombripped" "(onTV):" "Abombripped through the heart of President through the heart of President" "Assad's..." "Assad's... (onTV):" "An explosionthat" "(onTV):" "An explosionthat may have changed Syria's future." "may have changed Syria's future." "NARRATOR:" "InJuly,abrazen" "NARRATOR:" "InJuly,abrazen bomb attack in the center of bomb attack in the center of" "Damascus killed a group of" "Damascus killed a group of" "Assad's most trusted military" "Assad's most trusted military advisers." "advisers." "Thatwasaverysevereblow" "Thatwasaverysevereblow for the regime." "for the regime." "They lost some of their most" "They lost some of their most experienced coordinators of the experienced coordinators of the campaign being run against the campaign being run against the opposition." "opposition." "Thatistheministerof" "Thatistheministerof defense." "defense." "That is the national security" "That is the national security adviser." "adviser." "And that is, first and foremost," "And that is, first and foremost, his brother-in-law, the chief of his brother-in-law, the chief of military intelligence." "military intelligence." "And here, the beast has lost" "And here, the beast has lost his eyes." "his eyes." "And here the regime went" "And here the regime went berserk." "(explosion)" "(explosion)" "NARRATOR:" "Thebattlefor" "NARRATOR:" "Thebattlefor" "Syria became the battle for" "Syria became the battle for" "Aleppo." "Aleppo." "The Free Syrian Army had made a" "The Free Syrian Army had made a fateful decision to pull their fateful decision to pull their forces from other areas, to try forces from other areas, to try to take control of the country's to take control of the country's" "biggest city and business biggest city and business center." "center." "(automatic weapons fire)" "(automatic weapons fire)" "(shouting)" "NARRATOR:" "PresidentAssad" "NARRATOR:" "PresidentAssad responded." "Theregimenowisbombarding" "Theregimenowisbombarding civilian neighborhoods with civilian neighborhoods with artillery, with tank fire, and artillery, with tank fire, and now with helicopter gunships and now with helicopter gunships and with fighter bombers, using with fighter bombers, using" "MiG-21 and MiG-23 terceptors" "MiG-21 and MiG-23 terceptors to shoot at civilian to shoot at civilian neighborhoods, to shoot randomly neighborhoods, to shoot randomly at apartment buildings." "at apartment buildings." "And in the past few days in" "And in the past few days in" "Aleppo, these MiGs have shot at" "Aleppo, these MiGs have shot at people who were waiting in a people who were waiting in a bread line." "bread line." "This is how desperate I think" "This is how desperate I think the regime has gotten." "NARRATOR:" "Fornow,the battle" "NARRATOR:" "Fornow,the battle for Aleppo seems at a stalemate." "for Aleppo seems at a stalemate." "But other players are attempting" "But other players are attempting to tilt the balance." "to tilt the balance." "Syria's longtime ally, Iran, is" "Syria's longtime ally, Iran, is providing weapons and training providing weapons and training to the Alawite paramilitary to the Alawite paramilitary forces." "forces." "TheIraniansaregaining" "TheIraniansaregaining influence in Syria now by the influence in Syria now by the day." "day." "I mean, watching this happening," "I mean, watching this happening, like what they did in Iraq in a like what they did in Iraq in a very sophisticated, very smart very sophisticated, very smart way." "way." "They used to provide strategic" "They used to provide strategic advice to Assad regime." "advice to Assad regime." "Nowadays, they are even leading" "Nowadays, they are even leading operations." "operations." "NARRATOR:" "OpposingIranis" "NARRATOR:" "OpposingIranis" "Saudi Arabia, which is backing" "Saudi Arabia, which is backing the Sunni rebels." "the Sunni rebels." "TherivalrybetweenSaudi" "TherivalrybetweenSaudi" "Arabia and Tehran had started" "Arabia and Tehran had started long before the Syrian uprising." "long before the Syrian uprising." "And now with the Syrian" "And now with the Syrian uprising, the Saudi government uprising, the Saudi government saw this as an opportunity to saw this as an opportunity to deal a mortal blow to Iran." "deal a mortal blow to Iran." "And they have carved that niche" "And they have carved that niche in this conflict by sending in this conflict by sending weapons and money to the rebels." "weapons and money to the rebels." "(chanting)" "(chanting)" "(explosion)" "(explosion)" "But as long as they have the" "But as long as they have the" "Iranian support, I think this" "Iranian support, I think this regime can continue to fight for regime can continue to fight for some time." "Thepotentialforittoturn" "Thepotentialforittoturn into a very dark and tough into a very dark and tough sectarian fight, the way it did sectarian fight, the way it did in Lebanon and Iraq, is very in Lebanon and Iraq, is very" "high." "high." "And the regime has made it very" "And the regime has made it very clear that, "We're not going clear that, "We're not going anywhere." "anywhere." "And we're going to fight to the" "And we're going to fight to the end." "end." "And if you want to take us on," "And if you want to take us on, you have to be prepared to you have to be prepared to sacrifice everything, and you sacrifice everything, and you may not win."" "may not win."" "It's hard to see where this" "It's hard to see where this ends." "(gunfire)" "Frontlinecontinuesonline" "Frontlinecontinuesonline with more frGuardian with more frGuardian reporter Ghaith Abdulahad reporter Ghaith Abdulahad on his journey into the on his journey into the front lines of the fight." "front lines of the fight." "Wearewithdrawingnow ,after" "Wearewithdrawingnow ,after the attack." "the attack." "Explorethecriticalhubsof" "Explorethecriticalhubsof the Syrian rebellion in our the Syrian rebellion in our interactive map." "interactive map." "Hear from experts on the" "Hear from experts on the long-term consequences of this long-term consequences of this conflict." "conflict." "Watch the program online, and" "Watch the program online, and follFrontline on Facebook follFrontline on Facebook and Twitter, or tell us and Twitter, or tell us what you think what you think at pbs.org/frontline." "NexttimeFrontline..." "NexttimeFrontline..." "Thisschoolwasoncereferred" "Thisschoolwasoncereferred to as a dropout factory." "Some of these kids have horrific" "Some of these kids have horrific odds against them." "odds against them." "Schoolain'tmy life." "Schoolain'tmy life." "I got to make sure I can eat" "I got to make sure I can eat every day." "every day." "That's my job." "That's my job." "Youturnedyourbackonme ." "Youturnedyourbackonme ." "You don't even appreciate what I" "You don't even appreciate what I do for you." "do for you." "InsideoneAmericanhigh" "InsideoneAmericanhigh school trying to beat the odds." "school trying to beat the odds." "It'sgoingto getbetter,I" "It'sgoingto getbetter,I promise you." "promise you." ""DropoutNation."" ""DropoutNation."" 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"Additional funding is provided" "Additional funding is provided by the Park Foundation, by the Park Foundation, dedicated to heightening public dedicated to heightening public awareness of critical issues." "awareness of critical issues." "And by tFrontline Journalism" "And by tFrontline Journalism" "Fund, supporting investigative" "Fund, supporting investigative reporting and enterprise reporting and enterprise journalism." "Captioned by" "Captioned by" "Media Access Group at WGBH" "Media Access Group at WGBH access.wgbh.org" "Formoreon thisand other" "Formoreon thisand other" "Frontline programs, visit our" "Frontline programs, visit our website at pbs.org/frontline." "Frontline"Battle for Syria"" "Frontline"Battle for Syria"" "is available on DVD." "is available on DVD." "To order, visit shoppbs.org" "To order, visit shoppbs.org or call 1-800-PLAY-PBS." "or call 1-800-PLAY-PBS." "Frontline is also available" "Frontline is also available for download on iTunes."