or a long time now, President Barack Obama has been making statements about the “red line” that would be crossed if the Syrian regime used chemical weapons against its foes. Last week, that “red line” was crossed and the US administration decided to give lethal aid to the rebels without specifying the scope and scale of their help. This major shift in US policy, something US Senater John McCain had been calling for some time, makes one of the world’s most important players involved in the intractable conflict that has left the country in ruins.
In my humble opinion, this weapons transfer to the Free Syrian Army (FSA) will equalize the imbalance in terms of weapons capability, but the conflict will drag on for a longer time, claiming more lives and making the possibility of the conflict spreading to other countries more imminent. Both the US and Russia have aided their allies and have pushed the opposing forces closer to the verge of a full scale confrontation in all of Syria. As someone who is on the side of the civilians — that are losing their lives and getting maimed for no reason — adding fuel to the fire does no good to the most important stakeholders, the Syrian people. This conflict is taking on a more sectarian tone with people switching the rhetoric from Assad verses rebels to Shiite verses Sunnis.
This only helps to divide the Muslim community further and benefits the enemies who have a vested interest in seeing the second largest religious group in the world disunited and fighting with itself. As humans, regardless of sect, religion, or monetary motives, we should support the Syrian people and find ways of ending the two-year conflict. A political solution must be sought as a military settlement will only bring about a temporary solution. Examples such as those of Egypt, Libya, Iraq and Yemen show that military steps or sudden changes do not improve the situation. Even after two and a half years, Egyptians are still coming to Tahrir Square because their demands are unfulfilled.
Yemen is still plagued by militants; armed militias threaten the security of Libya; and regular sectarian attacks kill dozens of innocent people in Iraq.
My sincere appeal to all players in the Syrian conflict would be to stop arming both sides and press for a dialogue. Even if the solution is not a perfect one, it will still produce a long lasting solution that will see an end to the bloodshed that may spread in the entire region. Wise people such as Ahmad Mouaz AlKhatib, the former president of the Syrian National Council, are needed to represent the voice of the Syrian people. Syrians need to unite under a moderate voice that will take the country on the path of prosperity and stability. More non-lethal aid and dialogue are the solution, not arms. — Naqi Rizvi, Dammam
