This is the section of the article in the Economist that I was referring to: "At least the slight pause has prompted protesters to brave a continued, heavy
presence of armed itchy-fingered regime forces and take to the streets again.
Some activists, worried that militarisation has turned Syrians against the
uprising, are now calling for a reversion to solely peaceful protest." This is the only reference I have seen in the Western press to the alienation of Syrian people by the violent methods and thuggery by Free Syrian Army gangs who now compete with Syrian regime gangs and thugs. (thanks Khelil)