Where are we going?

Syria has been witnessing increased fighting since March 2011- what started off as a peaceful demonstration in the governorate of Dar’a was quickly hijacked by outside forces which exchanged these demonstrations for armed militias and gangs that have spread terror and havoc through certain parts of the country.

 As money and arms poured into the hands of what was later called the “ Free Syrian Army “ the fighting spiraled . It is very important to note that those fighting the government in Syria are many different groups of which the FSA is only one and not the most important . The “ Nusra Front “ which has been listed as a terrorist organization by the U.S and is a branch of Al Qaeda, has been the cause of many explosions and acts of terror and is stronger than the FSA . The different gangs and militias in the country act independently of one another and have no central command and so to label them all under the FSA is a mistake, giving the FSA far more weight and power on the ground than it really has.

Today, Syria has reached a critical stage where its future can only be determined through national dialogue – where the government and the armed opposition must initially give up their differences and sit around a table and discuss their options with no preconditions attached. Unfortunately up till now the outside opposition has refused to do this and it has been aided and abetted by the U.S and the EU . Just recently the “ National Coalition “ has again rejected dialogue. Moaz Al Khatib has in a very roundabout way shown a willingness to talk but the question here is really who does he represent? The SNC?The National Coalition? Neither apparently since they both rejected his calls for dialogue. The future of Syria should encompass a democratic political process where the first step is dialogue resulting in free parliamentary and presidential elections. The future of Syria must offer a guarantee to all different sects and religions that make up Syria . Up till this date the outside opposition has made no attempt whatsoever to offer the minorities any kind of guarantee or reassurance  – other than words. Moreover, it hasn’t presented the people of Syria or indeed the outside world with any political narrative. Their fixation is simply to oust the regime with nothing planned for the day after. In addition, the outside opposition hasn’t tried in any way to engage with the opposition inside Syria – the latter ,not being funded by Qatar and Saudi Arabia, and so see things in a more realistic light than those feasting in 5 star hotels in Arab and European capitals . Sanctions are another problem that should be dealt with immediately . The US led sanctions violate international humanitarian law due to the negative health effect they have on the Syrian civilian population . These sanctions should be immediately lifted  so that the people of Syria can pursue the right to economic development.

Reem Hadad