Syrian businessmen fed up with Assad?

Guardian:

Syrian businessmen are reaching out to western diplomats, expressing revulsion for the Assad regime but also concern at the crippling effect of sanctions.

Diplomats say several businessmen from the merchant elite have approached western embassies to register their unease. "There are many businessmen coming to us to tell us how much they hate the regime," said one senior western diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity.

...
I suspect they are telling the regime something else, but they have to be hurting because of the sanctions. I am sure they would be happy to see regime change in Damascus, but they have been tied to the government for so long, it may be hard for them to operate without their government backing and monopolies.

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