Syria Internet Blackout: Regime Cuts Mobile Phone Communications and Internet Access for Entire Country, Military Attacks Against Protesters Likely

The embattled authoritarian government of Syria has cut the country's ties to the internet and shut down mobile phone communications nationwide.

United States-based networking firm Renesys, which monitors internet connectivity around the world, said traffic to all IP addresses in Syria dropped to zero early Thursday afternoon local time.

The government, which has been waging a violent campaign against pro-democracy protesters, claims that "terrorists" cut the internet services, but it is widely accepted that the administration has shut down the internet in advance of new military assaults against demonstrators and civilians.

Dictators and military juntas often try to cut off communications with the outside world before committing atrocities or engaging in killing sprees and massacres.

Over 40,000 people have been killed by Syrian troops in the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad in the 20 months since fighting began.

Human rights group Amnesty International calls the news of the internet blackout "disturbing."

Google confirmed that Syrian users are unable to access any sites owned by the company, like YouTube. Protesters often post videos of the violence on video-sharing sites and use Twitter to coordinate gatherings. Some activists have access to satellite phones, which they are using now to alert the outside world of their predicament.

Heavy fighting continued last week in northern parts of the country, as rebels moved closer to taking over the international airport near Aleppo. Two car bombs also killed a senor member of President Assad's Baath party.

Similar internet blackouts occurred in Libya and Egypt during pro-democracy uprisings last year. Protesters quickly found ways to circumvent the blocks, though that often involved using cell phones to communicate.

The Syrian government seems to have shut down most mobile phone service in the country, so it will be more difficult to find alternatives.

Satellites transmitters and receivers will still work, but they are bulkier and harder to come by, and much easier for authorities to identify.

In addition, wealthier Syrians with ties to the government have continued to support the regime and its crackdown on dissent, but many of them rely on the internet to conduct business and manage their affairs overseas. It remains to be seen whether the blackout will inconvenience them enough to cause an uproar.