The world is letting down Syria’s children

The United Nations is sounding the alarm bells over the “unspeakable and unacceptable” impact the civil war in Syria is having on the country’s children. In a recently released report, the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon details how young Syrians are being abused by Assad’s murderous regime, while at the same time some are also being recruited against their will by various rebel groups to become child soldiers.

No doubt Ban Ki-moon is highlighting this in order to remind the world that no matter how impossible, we should all collectively work together to find a political solution to help end the humanitarian suffering. While at first the conflict was rather black and white – an authoritarian regime suppressing a portion of its citizens with brutal and unrestrained force – it has now transformed into the most destructive proxy war we have witnessed this century.

Assad’s regime is backed by Russia, Iran and the Lebanon-based terrorist group Hezbollah. The moderate rebels have been sidelined by various jihadi groups, many originating outside of Syria, including a disturbing number of Muslims from western countries, who are armed and financed by gulf states, namely Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Behind all of this is a battle to destroy Iran’s relationship with Syria, which would see Tehran deprived of a foothold in the Arab world.

Unfortunately the first round of the Geneva 2 peace talks just concluded this week in Switzerland with next to nothing achieved. The main point of contention is Assad leaving power. At the talks Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem made it clear that Assad has no intention of leaving and put the blame for the violence squarely on the opposition. “Syrians here in this hall participated in all that has happened. They implemented — facilitated — the bloodshed and all at the expense of the Syrian people they claim to represent.” he remarked. Monzer Akbik, chief of staff to Amhad al-Jarba, president of the Syrian National Coalition shot back at those still holding power in Damascus stating “All of what they say is lies.”

Russia just announced the Syrian government will attend the next round of peace talk. Every government attending should reflect on the fact that after 3 years of fighting, the human costs of this conflict is staggering. More than 130,000 casualties, of which 10,000 were children, and 6.5 million people are displaced from their homes. Much of the country’s cultural heritage has been destroyed.

Human rights groups and the United Nations need to hold the Assad regime and the rebels to account. They must also document the abuses and let the leaders of the other countries who are helping fuel the civil war know they have blood on their hands and they will be held accountable for their actions. It is the least we can do for Syria’s children.