The Struggle in Syria

The worst calamity of humanity in this generation is occurring right now within the confines of Syria’s border. Since 2011, over 470,000 people fell victim to the Syrian civil war. The war began when citizens engaged in peaceful anti-government demonstrations in response to dictator Bashar al-Assad’s indolent efforts to democratize the nation. Extremely violent measures were immediately put into effect to silence the oppositionists. Chemical warfare, gun violence, and mass bombings are several of the many methods executed by the Syrian government to muffle the voices of the people.

The target of the government’s rage is not limited to male soldiers. Women and children are influenced by the regime’s terror. Arab media reports that victims are being burned alive, leading families to choose suicide over succumbing. The full-blown guerilla warfare targets any and all citizens, becoming an everyday part of Syrians’ lives. Violence causes thousands of Syrian refugees to flee their nation. Migration is no simple exodus: families must walk for miles through the night to conceal themselves from snipers and rebel groups who abduct young men to fight for freedom. Terrorist groups such as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) also pose a serious threat to the safety of Syria and its people.

This would seem like the appropriate time for the United Nations or the other multinational peace coalitions to intervene. The United States is unable to take any form of military action within Syria because it would provoke harsher global consequences. American mediation would engender a more massive Middle Eastern conflict.

The Syrian people have lost faith in salvation from any international peace leagues. A professor in Syria, Abdulkafi Alhamdo, released a video on his despair in the midst of fleeing pro-Assad forces. He claims that people should not “believe anymore in the United Nations” because similarly to Assad, they are “satisfied that [Syrians] are being killed.” According to NBC News, other helpless activists have uploaded their own farewell videos on their social media as they wait “for death or captivity.”

The most recent development in Aleppo--a populated Syrian city-- are rebel reports of a cease-fire deal allowing civilians to escape the bloody siege. Russia confirmed that all of their militia action in eastern Aleppo is officially curtailed, therefore granting the Syrian government full control. Syrians are skeptical that the retreat will occur exactly according to plan, but there is no other option. Staying in Syria would leave citizens vulnerable to Assad’s terror and departing leaves the refugees prone to poverty, illness, and death.

The end of this crisis is hopefully in sight as the Syrian population attempts to recover from years of violence and terror.