Link to Article: https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20220316-enemy-the-same-syrians-mark-uprising-with-message-for-ukraine
In the article, thousands of protestors gathered i the Northwestern city of Idlib, taking art in the largest protest in months with hopes of Syrian backed Russia taking interest in Syria once again as the Ukraine- Russia conflict continues. Many protestors claim the situation in Ukraine is similar to the one taking place in Syria claiming “both the enemy and end goal is the same.” Currently Northern Syria still possesses rebel groups who have faced major offensive push backs since the 2011 Assad protests. With the help of Vladimir Putin, President Assad was able to regain power back while also leaving over half a million people dead. At the Idib protest many showed support to Ukraine as the current conflict continues demanding action against Moscow’s ruler. Many see parallels in Putin’s offensive tactics, like not distinguishing civilians as opposed to fighters and targeting essential buildings like hospitals. Many Syrians urge the international community to not forget about them as living conditions and Syria’s economy has drastically gotten worse as a result of over a decade of conflicts taking place in the country.
As situations worsen in Syria and Syria continues to be left in the shadows by the international community as other conflicts hold precedence, I predict the situation in Syria will only worsen as many UN members have no interest in sanction lifting or agreements with Syria’s Assad. (does not help Syria’s situation that Assad is one of the few political figures who openly back Putin amid the invasion of Ukraine). With many of the Idlib protestors wishing Ukrainian people to stay strong as they have against Assad it is easy to see the mental strength these civilians uphold despite the backlash faced from opposing forces.
These happenings relate to the idea that countries may take higher concerns to conflicts happening in areas with higher GDPs thanthosee with lower ones as they have “more value.” Many are using the current situation in Ukraine as an example, as many have completely turned their heads in other happenings in the world while the Ukraine situation is going on because many deem it as more important as it has more value than say Syria.