Syria's Exodus: The Refugee's
Eduardo Enrique Ordóñez Olágue III
Syria has suffered through civil war in the past and most recently it has been in war again for nearly three years. Syrian citizens took to the streets in a peaceful protest in support of a pro-democracy rally. The Syrian Army confronted these protesters where they opened fire on several protesters. This marked the start of Assad’s acts of terror against his people. Assad used chemical warfare on the city of Damascus, which sparked an outcry through out the International Community to put an end to the terror in Syria. As the war rages on thousands of Syrians have fled to neighboring countries for refuge. The International Community is trying to aid the Syrian people with food and support and they face a struggle in trying to reach the people due to Syrian Government refusing access of aid into the country.
Syria has experienced years of civil war and now more recently it is caught in the crosses of a new uprising against the Syrian Army and President Bashar al-Assad. Over twenty thousand Syrian refugees now live in camps where the Syrian Rebellion first gave way (Deasy, 2013). Many of these displaced citizens now look to the Syrian Rebellion as their representatives and a source of action in this crisis they now find themselves in.
This quote on quote war in our modern western media, influences western cultural to believe that the war was the start of a regime of Syrian Rebels striking against its government without due cause and can be seen as bandits on many news stations in the U.S (Deasy, 2013). Yet in the mean time the Arab Spring was flourishing throughout the Middle East with country after country aiming for a change from oppression and movement towards democracy, where as Syria was said to be influenced by outside motives from Russia and the U.S.
This quote on quote war in our modern western media, influences western cultural to believe that the war was the start of a regime of Syrian Rebels striking against its government without due cause and can be seen as bandits on many news stations in the U.S (Deasy, 2013). Yet in the mean time the Arab Spring was flourishing throughout the Middle East with country after country aiming for a change from oppression and movement towards democracy, where as Syria was said to be influenced by outside motives from Russia and the U.S.
What caused the Syrian uprising?
The brutal and inhumane actions in Syria first came to light at the start of what would only be bloodshed from the Syrian Regime attacks on protesters. Syrian protesters were shot down in a pro-democracy rally firing up the start of the Syrian Crisis (BBC, 2014). During this time multiple countries throughout the Middle East were combating in their own struggles towards a modern and more democratic society. Countries like Libya and Egypt who protested and fought to have their government change for the needs of the masses. In the U.S, president Barack Obama stated to the world that he would not allow or tolerate Assad to use chemical warfare on its citizens or their would be U.S intervention in Syria, yet as Assad denied using chemical gas on the city of Damascus, the evidence was undeniable (Crowley, 2013). The United Nations investigators confirmed that Sarin gas was used in the attacks on Damascus, stating that it was “clear and convincing evidence” that chemical weapons were used (Al Jazeera, 2013).
This heinous act on the Syrian population sparked a rage amongst the people that further spread the drive for a new government and empowered the Syrian Rebellion to stand up in arms against the dictatorship of Assad’s Army. As the violence increased and the Syrian Army invaded multiple cities with tanks the Syrian people began to flee the country to the surrounding Nations to survive (Deasy, 2013). Many of these people had no other choice but to flee or to fight back to free Syria. In these crucial moments is where I believe the true revolution of Syria began, although the idea for change had already been present, it wasn’t until the attacks and signs of fear from the Syrian government that these protesters had a power growing, that caused the turning point to a rebellion in a unified cause grew stronger. The Syrian rebellion has been viewed by some westerners as “defiant” and “murders” and supports the Syrian Army lead by Assad (Anon, 2012). In a blog directed towards a Pro- Assad Syria the writer talks of the rebellion being a lost cause, and greatly compliments president Assad in his actions (Anon, 2012), his actions I remind you of chemical warfare on his own people, bullets towards what were peaceful protesters simply looking to improve their Nation.
What effect if any on the neighboring countries?
As the Crisis in Syria increases, half of Syrian’s have fled to neighboring countries such as Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, and even Egypt where thousands of Syrians cross into their borders on a daily basis (El-Khatib et.al., 2013). This influx of refugees into these countries has caused a scare of inaccessibility to healthcare services not only for the Syrian people but also for the citizens of that country (El-Khatib et.al., 2013). This posing threat to the well being of foreign countries and their resources has strained the limitations of the country to shut down its borders in accepting in refugees when they can barley sustain themselves. The economic hardships have followed these Syrian refugees and are crippling the receiving nations. What started off as an issue in Syria is quickly escalating to an over all issue in the Middle East where many of these countries themselves are trying to redevelop after their own uprisings.
These countries continue on this path of doing the right thing in aiding the refuges, but how can they aid a nation when they themselves are trying to rebuild? There are over 1.85 million Syrians registered as a refuge or in the process of registering as a refuge (Guardian, 2013). We claim we want the best for the world and the people in it yet many of us sit on the side with our hands in our pockets and simply hope for the best instead of unifying for a change and for an out reach of support to these people. In a shocking and saddening video posted on “The Guardian” website they interview several refuge children now displaced in Jordan. These children speak of Syria as their homeland a land they long for and now can only say that their village became nothing more than a barren landscape that the desert consumed due to aerial attacks ordered by Assad’s regime.
Stories from these children who now suffer nightmares of seeing their friends, family and neighbors laying still in the streets of blood, one can see the destruction of the Syrian Army and its acts against Humanity towards their own people. The United Nations and the European Union as well as the Arab League have not stepped up enough to provide aid to the countless citizens. This Crisis doesn’t solely affect Syria, it affects us as well, if we see it or not. Assad’s hold on the country has driven its people out to the near brink of a wasteland of ruble and death. If the people abandon their lands what then becomes of Syria?
These countries continue on this path of doing the right thing in aiding the refuges, but how can they aid a nation when they themselves are trying to rebuild? There are over 1.85 million Syrians registered as a refuge or in the process of registering as a refuge (Guardian, 2013). We claim we want the best for the world and the people in it yet many of us sit on the side with our hands in our pockets and simply hope for the best instead of unifying for a change and for an out reach of support to these people. In a shocking and saddening video posted on “The Guardian” website they interview several refuge children now displaced in Jordan. These children speak of Syria as their homeland a land they long for and now can only say that their village became nothing more than a barren landscape that the desert consumed due to aerial attacks ordered by Assad’s regime.
Stories from these children who now suffer nightmares of seeing their friends, family and neighbors laying still in the streets of blood, one can see the destruction of the Syrian Army and its acts against Humanity towards their own people. The United Nations and the European Union as well as the Arab League have not stepped up enough to provide aid to the countless citizens. This Crisis doesn’t solely affect Syria, it affects us as well, if we see it or not. Assad’s hold on the country has driven its people out to the near brink of a wasteland of ruble and death. If the people abandon their lands what then becomes of Syria?
What does this war mean for Syria and it’s people?
The war now means Syria finds itself in a position where it must defend its rights against domestic violence to put an end to the tyranny it faces. Syria has struggled over the years with civil war and economic issues that make Syria vulnerable to outside influence. The citizens of Syria or what is now left of Syria have an obstacle to overcome to rebuild if it means the victory for the Rebellion or for president Assad. This war can be seen as a symbol of freedom from oppression and old ways of thinking. I am aware that many countries in the middle east view western society as the root of all evil, and I must say in a sense I agree with the notion, but it is clear that if a nation such as Syria rises against its leader to proclaim change, how can society deny them the right to elect what is demanded by its citizens? Quiet simply society cannot undermine the power of the people. The war is now what will cause Syria to flourish as a democratic society or lose being a country at all with so many abandoning their homeland.
What must be done for Syria?
Syria must learn to be a country again. Awareness must be brought to light so that Syria may have a chance to thrive. In an epic photography and video reported by Deborah Amos from NPR, we see the damage in Syria as thousands of civilians line up in ruble to receive food by the United Nations officials. These people need support; they need food, places to live. The people who stood in the streets of Yarmouk for what looked like miles have no access to hospitals, clean water or food, many of these people die from infections, diseases and hunger (Amos, 2014). The international aid program struggles to reach the people of Syria.
Many of the aid workers are being denied visas to enter the country by the Syrian Government (Amos). The International Community is now pressuring the government to lift sanctions to allow aid to reach the people of Syria. As an International Community it is vital that we come together to help the millions of people who are suffering and dying to lack of aid. Our voices need to be heard as well to bring awareness to the injustice going on in Syria. The rebuilding of Syria will take time and much needed support by the International Community to even give a chance to see a free Syria in which its people are able to decide what is in their best interests.
Many of the aid workers are being denied visas to enter the country by the Syrian Government (Amos). The International Community is now pressuring the government to lift sanctions to allow aid to reach the people of Syria. As an International Community it is vital that we come together to help the millions of people who are suffering and dying to lack of aid. Our voices need to be heard as well to bring awareness to the injustice going on in Syria. The rebuilding of Syria will take time and much needed support by the International Community to even give a chance to see a free Syria in which its people are able to decide what is in their best interests.
It has to End
We now see that Syria under the control of president Assad is one of violence and destruction. Syria has brought awareness that it wanted change and sought for a peaceful manner, but was quickly realized that was not going to be allowed by the Syrian Army. The people of Syria now homeless and displaced into neighboring countries leave behind their homes, family, friends, but most importantly their identity. For the ones who stayed behind they suffer from disease and hunger due to the restrictions from the government to allow aid into the country to provide for its citizens. The injustice has been realized and actions must now take place by the International Community to bring an end to Assad’s control and give the citizens of Syria a truly free Syria.
Works Cited
Al Jazeera, (2013) September 17. Middle East. Al Jazeera America. Retrieved from http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2013/09/2013916142939119643.html
Amos, D. (2014) March 20. Viral Photo of Syrian War Victims Comes to Time Square. NPR. Retrieved from http://www.npr.org/blogs/parallels/2014/03/20/291872345/viral-photo-of-syrian-war-victims-comes-to-times-square
Anon, AF. (2012) September 8, Syria Stands Defiant! The Green Star. Retrieved from http://americanfront.info/2012/09/08/syria-stands-defiant/
Crowley, M. (2013). Across The Red Line. Time, 182(11), 28.
BBC (2014, March 19) News. Middle East. Syria Profile. BBC, Retrieved from http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-14703995
Deasy, K. (2013). Dispatch from Syria. World Affairs, 176(4), 15-24.
El-Khatib, Z., Scales, D., Vearey, J., & Forsberg, B. C. (2013). Syrian refugees, between rocky crisis in Syria and hard inaccessibility to healthcare services in Lebanon and Jordan. Conflict & Health, 7(1), 1-3. doi:10.1186/1752-1505-7-18
Guardian, (2013) July 23. The Guardian. Retrieved from http://www.theguardian.com/world/middle-east-live/2013/jul/25/syria-refugee-crisis-a-day-in-the-life
Hower, (2013) Retrieved from http://www.article-3.com/what-has-the-u-s-learned-about-the-middle-east-since-911-912657
Tabler, A. J. (2013). Syria's Collapse. Foreign Affairs, 92(4), 90-100.
Amos, D. (2014) March 20. Viral Photo of Syrian War Victims Comes to Time Square. NPR. Retrieved from http://www.npr.org/blogs/parallels/2014/03/20/291872345/viral-photo-of-syrian-war-victims-comes-to-times-square
Anon, AF. (2012) September 8, Syria Stands Defiant! The Green Star. Retrieved from http://americanfront.info/2012/09/08/syria-stands-defiant/
Crowley, M. (2013). Across The Red Line. Time, 182(11), 28.
BBC (2014, March 19) News. Middle East. Syria Profile. BBC, Retrieved from http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-14703995
Deasy, K. (2013). Dispatch from Syria. World Affairs, 176(4), 15-24.
El-Khatib, Z., Scales, D., Vearey, J., & Forsberg, B. C. (2013). Syrian refugees, between rocky crisis in Syria and hard inaccessibility to healthcare services in Lebanon and Jordan. Conflict & Health, 7(1), 1-3. doi:10.1186/1752-1505-7-18
Guardian, (2013) July 23. The Guardian. Retrieved from http://www.theguardian.com/world/middle-east-live/2013/jul/25/syria-refugee-crisis-a-day-in-the-life
Hower, (2013) Retrieved from http://www.article-3.com/what-has-the-u-s-learned-about-the-middle-east-since-911-912657
Tabler, A. J. (2013). Syria's Collapse. Foreign Affairs, 92(4), 90-100.
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