Planning for Syria

Looks like Syria is in big trouble. An article in the New York Times noted that authorities were playing off the assassinations as something done by no-governmental forces. Is this true? Personally, I am leaning towards NO. I feel as though Middle Eastern governments has spun off their own mistakes in the media by the simple task of blaming someone else. The next few days will be interesting as we see what transpires with the assassinations and protests.
Here is the article from the NY Times.