Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad is losing popularity among his former allies, the members of the Arab League. The latter on Saturday, November 12, 2011, voted to suspend Syria’s membership in the Arab umbrella organization in response to the ongoing murderous government violence.

Over 20 civilians were murdered on Friday. The Arab League’s move is expected to lead to increased sanctions against Damascus by the Western community. At 3:00pm Israel time on Sunday, November 13th, al-Arabia reports at least 11 civilians were killed today.

Elsewhere in Syria, protestors armed with clubs and knives on Saturday, November 12, 2011, stormed a number of foreign embassies in Syria, including the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Damascus and the Turkish and French diplomatic complexes in the port city of Latakiyah, Arab media reports state. The protestors were supporters of Syrian leader Bashar el-Assad. The attacks were apparently prompted by the opposition of countries mentioned to the state-ordered violence in Syria against civilians protesting the current regime.

The Saudi ambassador was recalled in the summer in protest over the state-ordered violence.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)