(Image source: CBS)

BY STEVEN SPARKMAN

ANCHOR ANTHONY MARTINEZ

In Syria, protests against president Bashar Al-Assad’s rule have been going on for 10 months, and thousands have died in the government’s violent crackdown. Now, the Emir of Qatar has suggested troops be sent to Syria. He made the comment to CBS.

“I think for such a situation, to stop the killing, we have -- some troops should go to stop the killing.”

The Emir’s comment is the first by an Arab leader to suggest military intervention in Syria. It follows the decision by the Arab League to reevaluate its observer mission in the country, which critics say has no chance of ending the violence.

An analyst tells Al Jazeera, while he thinks the odds of troops being sent into the country are small, the Emir’s comment is meant to send a message.

“But it was a very vague statement. It wasn’t very precise. It leaves open many interpretations, but it’s a very strong message that the pressure is going to continue from within the region.”

The situation in Syria continues to decline. The AFP reports Assad troops have been seen targeting the children of dissidents.

The areas protesting the Assad regime are reportedly under siege. This CNN video shows residents throwing goods across a street, unable to cross it because of government snipers. Cutoffs of goods and electricity have forced residents to start burning tree limbs for warmth.

But while the opposition is growing and becoming more unified, high-profile defections from the regime have been scarce. The Syrian government also still has support from Russia and China, making international intervention a complicated issue.

And a New York Times report says the prospects for a peaceful resolution are getting slim.

“The opposition speaks less of prospects for the fall of President Bashar al-Assad and more about a civil war … The deepening stalemate underlines the extent to which events are slipping out of control.”

On Sunday, the Assad regime said amnesty would be granted for protesters who hand over their weapons by the end of January. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called on Assad to stop killing his own people.