August 17, 2012

As we continue to monitor the dire situation in Syria, MPAC calls upon the international community to protect innocent civilians. At this point, humanitarian intervention and a no-fly zone must be implemented in order to save innocent lives. Currently, there is no sign of President Bashar al-Assad slowing down his murderous campaign against Syrian citizens across the country. The scale of civilian casualties is intolerable and must be stopped; now is the time for action to protect and save lives.

The recent escalation of tank shelling and air strikes against civilians should prompt the international community to act immediately to protect the people of Syria.

On Monday, the Free Syrian Army (FSA) claimed to have shot down a Syrian military jet near the Iraqi border. This comes as Syrian forces have heightened their air presence while conducting a campaign of senseless destruction across cities and villages. Cities such as Aleppo, which are under reactive armed-civilian control, have come under further bombardment, making the need for a no-fly zone a priority.

A no-fly zone would prevent all aircraft from flying over Syria, thus reducing the scale of indiscriminate violence by the al-Assad regime. This also will allow the Syrian opposition to continue to make gains and protect the strongholds that are essential in weakening al-Assad’s power. Establishing a no-fly zone in Syria must be a U.N. operation. However, if the U.N. is paralyzed, then NATO should act without U.N. authority to operate a campaign to protect Syrian civilians. MPAC opposes the introduction of foreign ground troops -- we believe airpower alone can be effective.

The Local Coordination Committees of Syria, an opposition group to the al-Assad regime, has reported that to date more than 20,000 people were killed in Syria, including women and children. The constant bloodshed has led to a worsening humanitarian crisis as aid fails to reach those hardest hit and Syrians have been forced to flee into neighboring Turkey and Jordan.

When considering options on the table, protecting the innocent should take precedence over any geo-political gains such as the role of the al-Assad regime in the regional balance of power, its alliance with Hezbollah and Iran and its unresolved conflicts with Israel. Humanitarian needs must be fulfilled even if that means nations are participating out of their own interests.

Calculated steps by the international community, as well as the U.N. and NATO, should be taken to ensure the eventual removal of al-Assad from power and the protection and freedom of Syrian civilians. The more time goes by without any humanitarian intervention is only more time for al-Assad to continue to wreak havoc on Syrians.

The U.N. reported “two million people are now estimated to have been affected by the crisis, and more than one million have been internally displaced.” Because of the increased violence in recent weeks, which has involved air strikes in and around Homs and Rastan, aid has failed to reach those in need.

In order for the Syrian people to move forward in a post-al-Assad era, a unified Syrian nation is crucial. Syrians must work together in order to pursue their common goals of freedom, dignity and justice. Muslim religious leaders and political leaders from around the world should make clear that a new Syria must treat all her citizens equally and will not engage in collective punishment of any minority.

Right now, there are too many outside factors attempting to sabotage a stable and free Syria. The responsibility to protect our global neighbors falls upon us in the international community—now is the time to answer that call.