Sir: The ongoing Syrian crisis has come to a ‘red-line’ point, as perceived by some in the west due to the alleged use of chemical weapons although it is not absolutely clear who used them. The weapons experts could not say categorically that the weapons were used solely by Assad’s side. These allegations are not supported by Russia and China due to lack of concrete evidence. Whatever the truth, Assad’s regime and the rebels are both in a position to use chemical weapons — who has the audacity to use them is another thing entirely. The west is mobilising its resources to justify unilateral intervention in the Syrian conflict by attacking Syria militarily to get rid of Bashar al-Assad’s regime as long-term military support to the rebels does not seem to have worked. The Syrian situation reminds one of the US’s propaganda against Iraq for having weapons of mass destruction and a nuclear arsenal, eventually instigating military action against Iraq.
This ongoing power struggle has caused many atrocities with innocent people being killed and displaced, and the economy destroyed. Deployment of the armed forces against Syria by the US and UK will have a devastating effect, causing destabilisation and unrest in the area for a long time to come. The US should let the UN take a leading role in this conflict and chalk out a proper line of action for rectification. If it is proved that the Syrian government had used chemical weapons, then collective action under the umbrella of the UN should be taken against Assad’s regime to ask him to step back in order to bring in a change of government, which is by the people and for the people. Syria has been governed by the Assad family for decades; it may just be time for him to hand over power to democratically elected representatives to avoid further bloodshed, and to bring stability and prosperity to the country.
MOHAMMAD ASHRAF
Winnipeg,
Canada