A Syria-ous Problem š£
This is war
The United Nations Security Council issued a 30-day ceasefire in Syria this past week, hoping to end the civil war. However, within a few hours of the mandate, some anti-government militia forces resumed bombing Eastern Ghouta, a region with 400,000 civilians. The apparent ineffectiveness on the UNās part has led many to question their international authority.
Back up! Say what?
Syria has been torn apart for 7 years by a brutal civil war, with rebel forces hoping to overthrow the government. The United States has played a major role in the conflict by sending in US soldiers to help the rebel cause. Russia is on the opposite side, supporting the existing government.
Less Violence, Functional UN:
Idaho Statesman: Violence drops in Syrian capital, its suburbs after UN vote
Fox News: Violence decreases in Damascus, suburbs after UN Syria vote
More Violence, Broken UN:
Washington Post: Violence rages unabated in Ghouta as Syria defies U.N. cease-fire resolution
Albawaba: The Syrian Ceasefire Immediately Failed, Exposing a Broken United Nations
Those who say there is less violence after the UN cease-fire are focusing on the long term impact. They emphasize how the two most powerful rebel groups, āArmy of Islamā and āFailaq al-Rahmanā, have agreed to abide by the cease-fire unless they are āforced to fire in self-defenseā. Big picture, this could save hundreds of innocent civilians and kill the momentum for other rebel groups. They praise the UN for their peace negotiations and see this as an UN victory.
Those who claim there is more violence point to the numerous deaths in Eastern Ghouta, which was bombed by rebels just hours after the cease-fire. The civilians are also pessimistic about the cease-fire and donāt see any less violence. One civilian said, "We are still underground and dying", while another said, "The army has given them many truces, more than they deserve and the result was more shells.ā This side berates the UN for āgiving inā to the demands of the rebel organizations instead of offering āa multilateral, genuine resolutionā.
Is this going to stick?
It looks like there may be a temporary reprieve for Syrian citizens, but how long will it last? The UN has issued āseveral failed ceasefire dealsā in the past, all starting with minor decreases in rebel attacks, but ending with few real changes. The rebel groups have only agreed to the cease-fire so long as they are not threatened. All it takes is one bullet or bomb and they can begin destroying civilian-populated Ghouta again. There is a truce at the moment, but it rests on shaky ground.
Sorry, I didn't get the truce memo Billy
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