International Community Offering Rewards Before Reform
Syria’s “interim” government is being led by a man who was literally a part of Al Qaeda and ISIS. In recent years, Ahmed Hussein al-Sharaa took these Syrian factions and rebranded to call themselves “Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham” and this group was who overthrew President Bashar al-Assad from office.
There are many questions unanswered questions about what comes next and will Syria’s future actually be better?
Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom lifts sanctions
Earlier this month, the Government of Canada lifted sanctions on the country, removed Syria from the State Supporters of Terrorism list, and removed the terrorist organization the “interim” President Ahmed Hussein al-Sharaa led, Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham, from the Canadian List of Terrorist Entities under the Canadian Criminal Code.
Canada cited similar moves by the Americans and British in justifying this change. But what has actually changed on the ground?
The Ugly Truth in Syria Today
The people of Syria have endured immense suffering following nearly 15 years of civil war to overthrow the Bashar al-Assad regime. Countless lives were lost to the war, as sectarian conflict and extremist violence filled the power vacuum of a weakened regime unable govern their own country.
The “interim” government has sought to create stability, but the barrel of a gun continues to be how power is being wielded in Syria today.
Forces loyal to President al-Sharaa continue to attack Christian, Druze and Alawite communities. Existing as a minority in the country means living in a constant fate of fear. Hundreds have been killed, thousands have been forced to flee, and the same kidnapping tactics of ISIS are being used towards women in the region of Suwayda where the violence have been the most pronounced.
Forces loyal to President al-Sharaa have also instigated violence on the border with Israel, which prompted the Israelis to engage in military activity to create a security buffer zone by pushing Syrian forces back from the border to keep Israelis safe.
The Uncertain Truth in Syria Tomorrow
President al-Sharaa has traded in his Islamist militant attire for that of a business suit. He’s convinced some leaders he is a changed man while Gulf countries are effectively bribing western governments to go further.
The President is clever in using universal human rights language about equality and aspiring to govern for all Syrians when engaging with international media and western governments, but the on-the-ground reality remains fraught.
How will the government ensure the people of Syria have their human rights upheld?
How will the government reign in the violence from forces loyal to the President who for 15 years have violently seeking to impose a very radical Islamist ideology on the country?
How will the government enshrine freedom of religion into law and see it upheld?
When and how will elections take place?
All of these questions remain unanswered, yet sanctions relief has been granted to allow the President and his Islamist loyalists to grow stronger without even mapping out the hard work of meaningful reform, nor actions to realize improvements.
Don’t Be Fooled
Bashar al-Assad was a dictator and ruled with fear and violence of dissidents. The forces that ousted him are just as violent and more radical in their ideology in their stated objectives.
Western governments have been fooled before, thinking a compromise for the moment is better. Sadly, we know how this story ends: bloodshed, minorities trampled, and another generation lost to the cycle of violence.
We must demand our governments pair sanctions relief with the upholding of human rights for all Syrians. Rewarding these Islamic terrorists for simply putting on a business suit is a terrible way to start.