The regional controversy has complicated the situation in Syria. There is no plan to end violence and bloodshed in short-term. According to United Nations' report around 5 thousand people have been killed by Mr. Bashar-al-Assad's regime during past ten months since the start of uprising in the country. Moreover, during past days since the Arab League monitors entered four hundred people have been killed, average 40 people per day.
This is horrifying. But President Assad has taken back his word when the wave of civil unrest started shaking his dictatorial tree hard——protestors are a bunch of terrorists supported by sources from outside the country.
Though it is possible that if he steps down, Islamic groups would take power, but the image has not caused international community to keep their mouth shut.
Western countries, on top, US have been criticizing Damascus for severe crackdown of peaceful protestors. They push for tough UN Security Council's resolution which yet remained unaccomplished due to considerations of Russia and China, two strong countries with veto rights in the Council.
Another initiative is held by Arab League which suspended Syria's membership in Oct after the government found evasive to put on the ground League's peace plan. But Damascus blamed of hurried reaction as the plan takes time to be implemented. After finally the League's monitors are allowed to come to the country and assess the ground situation and make sure that the regime is exercising the peace plan.
But the situation is gruesome as there are reports of violence and bloodsheds even during presence of Arab monitors around four hundred people have been killed.
Syria is ruled by Alawis, which is far similar to Shiite religion. And, thus, there are people assessing the relation between Tehran and Damascus due to their religious similarities. No doubt, Iran has tried to be recognized as regional power and has a close relation with Assad's regime. Therefore, during past ten months, Tehran has never retreated from its stance against Syria and links unrest to western countries.
Syria has strategic importance to Iran. It provides a safe and secure way to Hezbullah of Lebanon which largely depends on financial and military support of both countries. Losing a friend of such an importance can potentially endanger the stance of Hezbullah and affect the regional status of Tehran too.
On the other hand, in civil uprising, through efforts of the regime, the sectarian line has become revealed more than ever. Alawis have generally kept silence against government violence. This phenomenon has drugged Sunni Arab countries into the country. Saudi Arabia is leading this wing and tries to mount pressure on Assad to yield to protestors' demands. Now these two regional wings try their most to get maximum benefit out of the current controversies.