Syria: SHABIHA TR Jul12

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

• The Shabiha is a fanatically pro-al-Assad gang of smugglers, utilized by the al-Assad family for intimidating anti-government dissenters in Syria.
• Members of the Shabiha are recruited based on possession of low intelligence with intimidating physical characteristics, such as steroid-produced muscles and tall stature.
• Members of the Shabiha tend to be young, unemployed men from the suburbs.
• The Shabiha is known for brutal and violent behavior and is feared by ordinary Syrians.
• The Shabiha has been implicated in many of the brutal civilian deaths since opposition to Bashar al-Assad began in 2011.
• Bashar al-Assad may have lost the capability of controlling the violent actions of the Shabiha.
• Bashar al-Assad has distanced himself from Shabiha violence by claiming opposition forces and outside terrorists are responsible.
• Due to its close ties to the al-Assad family, past brutal behavior, and membership in the minority Alawite Islam sect, the Shabiha fears retribution if the al-Assad regime falls.
• Members of the Shabiha are able to justify wide-spread violence against the majority Sunni Syrians because they believe their survival is inextricably tied to the survival of the al-Assad regime.