Syria Cuts the Internet

Government halts connection, hoping to halt protests

Syria pulled the plug on the Internet. As an unwavering anti-government movement continues to demonstrate against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, government officials blocked most of the country’s Internet network, cutting off a vital line of communication for protest organizers.

A majority of the 59 Internet pathways in the country (including its mobile 3G network) were disabled in a rolling blackout yesterday, according to Internet intelligence firm Renesys. There is only one Internet provider in Syria, Syriatel, and it is owned by the president’s cousin.

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