The social media cyber-war : the unfolding events in the Syrian revolution 2011

This paper analyses how both the Syrian Electronic Army (SEA) and the Syrian Free Army (SFA) have engaged with social media networks, 'cyber war', 'cyber-attacks', disinformation and propaganda in the Syrian revolution of 2011. The importance of information dissemination during the so-called 'Arab Spring' revolution was crucial in determining the outcome of the revolutions. Unlike in Egypt and Tunisia, the Syrian regime restored the country's internet connection during the uprisings and left restrictions on Facebook and other social media platforms in a move to trap social media activists and crack down on them. To understand the role of social media during the Syrian revolution, the paper firstly draws on the framework of the Syrian revolution, how it started and the regime responses. Second, it sheds light on digital activism before and during the revolution. Third, it explores the social media cyber-war, the directed cyber-attacks by SEA to the revolutionaries and other international opponents. The theoretical framework is drawn from an information warfare perspective. This article is based on self observation of the SEA and SFA on Facebook and Twitter accounts as both a member and a follower. Satellite channels have been used secondary resources as they were instrumental resources in the conflict.