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The Fight for Ash-Sham (The Syrian Civil War) Steven Aponte University of Texas at El Paso

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Abstract Syria is currently in a civil war, this is known throughout the world but no one believed it would escalate to the use of chemical weapons. Who is to blame, the Syrian government is accusing the Syrian Rebels and the Syrian Rebels blame the Syrian government and the President Bashar al-Assad for the mishap. This has turned into an international affair and answers are being demanded.

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The Fight for Ash-Sham

(The Syrian Civil War) On August 21, 2013 the Syrian government led by President Bashar al-Assad was being accused for the killings of 1,429 people, including 426 children, during a chemical weapons attack in Damascus, Syria. This news quickly spread and the U.S. as well as many other nations demanded answers. Who was to blame? In order to better understand the situation the following 4 questions must be examined: 1. Why are the people distraught with the Assad Regime? 2. Why is the West hesitant in stepping in? 3. How has the Syrian civil war not only effected Syria but the entire Middle East on a global scale? 4. How long will the international community allow the mass killings of millions of Syrians to continue? In order to better understand the recent events in Syria knowledge of the Assad Regime and the importance of Syria to the Middle East community are needed. Why are the people distraught with the Assad Regime? Begging from the spring of 2010 known as the Arab Spring large demonstrations developed throughout the Middle East and Northern Africa stemming from outrage and anger towards their

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governments policies. Policies including human rights violations, lack of economic development, and civil liberties where among the topics which angered many throughout the Arab, world resulting in demonstrations occurring in over 11 countries. What started out as one mans willingness to cause change in Tunisia, changed the dynamics of the Arab world in ways which will forever leave a lasting mark, not only in the Arab community but worldwide as well. Starting in March of 2011 protestors demanded the resignation of President Bashar al-Assad, who has been the president of Syria for over 13 years now. As the animosity grew toward President Bashar al-Assad and the entire Syrian government, tensions were high and the Syrian Army was deployed in response to the civil unrest which was occurring throughout the country. Syrian soldiers retaliated by firing at demonstrators who opposed President Al-Assad, and the Syrian government. After numerous clashes with Syrian forces the protests eventually progressed into an armed rebellion, thus creating the Free Syrian Army or The Syrian rebels which they are referred as by the Al-Assad regime. The Free Syrian Army is mostly composed of defected soldiers and civilian volunteers who are supported by the nations of Qatar, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Israel and many more which provide and

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transfer weapons to the Syrian Rebels. In 2013 Hezbollah entered the war in favor of the Syrian army, the Syrian government also receives military support from Russia and Iran. Why is the West hesitant in stepping in?

Brownstein, R. (2013, September 9)

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There are many key countries involved in this crises particularly the countries in the West. The U.S. in the beginning proposed a limited airstrike, this would not involve any military ground troops and would mainly be targeting Assads Regime. As things slowly escalated U.S. President Barack Obama turned to congress for guidance and approval on the proposed limited airstrike. The UN (United Nations) meanwhile was in the process of conducting an investigation to try and determine who was to blame for the chemical weapons attack and if in fact any chemical weapons were even used. Germany has ruled themselves out of any involvement in the Syria crises and are relying on the UN to make a unified decision. Russia along with China both greatly disapprove of taking any kind of military action against Syria. Russian President Vladimir Putin (2013) stated a strike would increase violence and unleash a new wave of terrorism. Russia is close allies with Syria and the Assad Regime and is leaning towards a more diplomatic way of resolving this issue also believing that the Syrian rebels are to blame for the attack not the Syrian government. China agrees with Russias diplomatic approach and goes on to say that any military action taken without approval from the UN first would be considered illegal. The official news agency of China voices their opinion by saying, Xinhua

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(2013) Western powers were rushing to conclusions about who might have used chemical weapons in Syria before UN inspectors had completed their investigation. France backed the U.S. proposal for military action against Syria. In fact France was the only country to actually commit to using military force other than the U.S. against Syria. The UKs Prime Minister David Cameron supports the idea of using military force, however, after the proposal for military action in Syria was rejected by MPs in Parliament it forced the UK as a whole to remove itself from any joint intervention. UKs Prime Minister David Cameron did express his concern for Syria and its citizens in the G20 summit in Russia by announcing that the UK would aid Syria in medical training and equipment for victims affected by the chemical weapons attack, giving 80 million dollars in additional funding. After hearing Russias proposal for a diplomatic solution in a G20 summit that took place in Russia the three nations being France, UK, and the U.S. all came to an agreement with Russia and China not to use military force but instead want Syrias chemical weapons stockpile under international control in a timely manner and for there to be consequences if not done on time. How has the Syrian civil war not only effected Syria but the entire Middle East on a global scale?

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Syria is divided much like the Middle East. The entire Arab community have different viewpoints and opinions about the crises in Syria, some are supporters of the Syrian government and Assads Regime well other oppose it and support the Syrian rebels. Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar all like the idea of military action against Syria and its government and want a strong international response for the use of chemical weapons. Most Syrian people have fled to surrounding countries to try and get away from the violence in Syria. Lebanon and Jordan are amongst the 2 countries near Syria that are currently housing the most refugees. This vast number of refugees from Syria into other countries has taken a toll more so in Lebanon, as the crises in Syria escalates the peoplespeoples views in Lebanon and surrounding countries change and much like Syria Lebanons people are divided between helping the Syrian rebels or helping the Syrian government and the Assad Regime and because of this it has resulted in violence. There has been bombings and killings in Lebanon because of the tension between the people. Egypt and Israel have both chosen to stay out of the fight and want nothing to do with Syria nor the U.S. the Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu even went as far as making threats to leave them out of the conflict stating, We are not

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part of the civil war in Syria, but if we detect any attempt to harm us we will respond, and do so powerfully. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (2013). In Egypt President Mohammed Morsi has cut off all relations with Syria and called for a no fly zone. How long will the international community allow the mass killings of millions of Syrians to continue? Every nation is sympatric to the crises in Syria. Most countries however have other issues going on in their very own backyard and its very hard to assist another country when you have your own issues, with the UN involved it should help come to an agreement of some kind between every nation involved in the Syria conflict. The UN and other nations have started to slowly provide aid to Syria with donations of money for various things such as medical supplies and clothing, this however does not resolve the civil war going on in Syria. Conclusion Most of the international community as of now has quietly put the crises in Syria behind them. The UN has pretty much taken over and with most countries coming to a diplomatic agreement over what to do in Syria. Syrian President Bashar alAssad has agreed to hand over all chemical weapons and place them under international control. The crises in Syria is a prime

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example of what not to do, in order to unify and become a great nation you must give people rights and listen to what they want as well as make decisions that will benefit both the country as a whole and the people, in seeing all the conflict in Syria should really make us appreciate all the civil rights and liberties that we have here in this great nation.

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References Syria crisis: Where key countries stand. (2013, September). In BBC News. Retrieved October 25, 2013, from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-23849587 CNN Library . (2013, October 8). Syria Civil War Fast Facts. In CNN. Retrieved October 24, 2013, from http://www.cnn.com/2013/08/27/world/meast/syria-civil-war-fastfacts/ (2013). Video proves Syria's chemical weapon use [Online video]. Atlanta: CNN. Retrieved October 26, 2013, from YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5bM8kTOsOk). Brownstein, R. (2013, September 9). Americans Overwhelmingly Oppose Syria Strike, Want Obama to Back Down. In UTC | NJ Congressional Connection Poll Coverage . Retrieved December 25, 2013, from NationalJournal (http://www.nationaljournal.com/congressionalconnection/coverage/americans-overwhelmingly-oppose-syr). (2013). Syria Meets First Critical Deadline of C [Online video]. abc NEWS. Retrieved October 23, 2013, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v20IIIGrfNs BBC News. (2013). Syria chemical attack: What we know, 3(9), 510.

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Syria profile. (2013, October 8). In BBC News. Retrieved October 28, 2013, from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east14703856

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Appendix 1. Who do you think is to blame for the chemical weapons attack in Syria? 2. Do you feel we should aid Syria with a limited airstrike? 3. Should we send supplies such as medical to Syria and its victims? 4. Should the U.S. send ground troops to Syria? 5. Should the U.S. do nothing and stay out of Syria? 6. Provide support to the Syrian Rebels? 7. Provide support to the Syrian government and the Assad Regime? 8. Use military force only with international help from allies? 9. Airstrikes targeting chemical weapons production? 10. Assassinate Syrian President Bashar al-Assad?