This refers to the article “Conflict in Syria turning into a great regional war” (March 16) by Abdul Rahman Al-Rashed. We know that the conflict in Syria erupted on March 15, 2011 when protesters inspired by Arab uprisings took to the streets across Syria calling for democratic change.
These demonstrators were unarmed and peaceful and included many women and children. But Assad’s forces unleashed a brutal crackdown and opened fire on them that provoked many among the demonstrators to take up arms.
However, this unfortunate conflict enters third year now. The hard fact is Syria is mired in a civil war that has killed at least 70,000 people and forced one million to flee abroad, with millions more missing or displaced, sparking an economic and humanitarian disaster. — Naser Mullah, Riyadh
Syrian conflict
