I refer to the report “Russia, Turkey, Iran agree on need to widen Syria truce” (Dec. 21). This is a welcome and necessary move. Despite massive damage due to heavy Russian and Syrian regime bombardment of innocent civilians, it is good to see that work has been initiated for the evacuation of trapped civilians.
However, Iran should not betray the deal and resort to sectarian policies via its proxies such as Hezbollah, Al-Hashd Al-Shaabi and other Shiite militias. Iran and Syrian President Bashar Assad have caused tremendous loss of innocent life.
In the process of creating hegemony in the Middle East, Iran is bent on destroying peace and tranquility in Iraq, Yemen, Syria, Bahrain and other parts of the Arab world. It was wrong of US President Barack Obama to go soft on Iran, a rogue state, and connive with its mischievous objectives that are detrimental to Middle East peace.
Russian President Vladimir Putin should not favor unjustly barbaric leaders, such as those in Damascus and Tehran, for the sake of global peace. Today there is no tranquility in the world. In the name of attacking Daesh and other terrorists, Putin and Assad have bombarded innocent civilians and ruined their lives.
Millions of innocent Syrians have been displaced and more than 400,000 killed in sectarian violence and hatred. For how long will the world do nothing? These barbaric acts should be stopped. If there is a need to wage wars against terrorists, only they should be targeted, not innocent civilians.
— Anees Lokhande, Jubail
Syrian truce
