ONE year after the first demonstrations in Syria opposition groups called today for protests in the capital Damascus and across the country to commemorate the anniversary.
Many activists consider March 18, 2011 to be the start of the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad when thousands took to the streets, resulting in security forces killing protesters in the southern city of Dara'a.
Since then protests have escalated and many have taken up arms to defend themselves and attack government forces, as the conflict has become increasingly militarised. The United Nations reports that more than 8,000 people have been killed during the last year.
It is unclear if demonstrations will go ahead in the capital, an Assad stronghold, indeed tens of thousands rallied there in support of the president last week.
On Saturday, three suicide bombings in the capital killed 27 people, attacks the government blamed on the opposition which they claim is made up of "terrorist" groups in league with foreign powers. Several opposition leaders accused the regime of complicity in the attacks to tarnish the uprising.
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Kofi Annan, the Joint UN-Arab League envoy, is sending a team to Damascus tomorrow for meetings with the regime. In recent talks, Annan has asked Assad to declare an immediate ceasefire to allow for discussions among all parties over a political solution.
Syria said they were "keen to end violence" but said rebels must give up their weapons first.
The Syrian response falls short of US and European demands that regime forces stop fighting — and even Russia's insistence that both sides stop fighting simultaneously.
Leaders in Syria's opposition reject talks with the regime, saying it has killed too many for dialogue to be an option.