Agree not to ‘lose’ Syria

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AS the Syrian crisis drags the country into the sixth year of uncertainty the unfortunate citizens of this country have no other option but to opt for a political solution because the country has seen enough of murders, massacres, displacement and destruction of towns, cities and even villages.

To add insult to injury no warring faction has come out clear victors. The Syrians must opt for a political solution because several regional and world powers have taken upon themselves the task of rescuing Syria. The Syrians must not waste time if they do not wish to lose their homeland as the country staggers under pressure to accommodate disputing sides which have professed their belongingness to different terrorist groups.

In this context, the Syrian opposition must necessarily not shy away from the table of negotiations since this seems to be the last available opportunity before hitting the last nail in the coffin because the death is imminent.

The opposition must understand the Russo-American pact which the White House and Kremlin have agreed upon to limit the demands of the two struggling local parties — the pact that reflects the current balance of power between the two world powers.

The opposition must adapt to the situation, particularly to its ability and the current position of the Arab world and not stick to the five-year-old demands of toppling the regime which looks impossible to realize.

The opposition must come to terms with reality because toppling the regime given the current circumstance look next to impossible, because the regime over the past 40 years has done everything possible and now its roots run deep in every institution.

Therefore, it will not be possible to uproot the regime with mere roundtable talk. Does the proposed settlement talk not guarantee protecting the country and its institutions, bringing home the displaced citizens and change the structure of the regime through increased popular participation?

Does it not pave the way for future political change if ‘local powers’ succeed in putting pressure on the regime in the political arena without shedding blood or displacing citizens or destroying the country?

It is necessary to admit that the position of Syria and subsequent developments and interferences of world powers in our internal affairs have reinforced our conviction that Arabs do not decide their destiny. We have witnessed this since the collapse of the Ottoman Empire and birth of the Sykes-Picot Treaty.

So, the outcome of all conflicts and wars which were fought after that treaty was signed was decided by world powers including the October 1973 War — the only war in which the Arabs were victorious because the international community felt it was necessary to rearrange the priorities after the defeat of the Arabs in the 1967 war.

Today we see the repetition of the scenario since the success or failure of the truce will be decided either in Moscow or Washington at a time when none of the ‘locals’ are in a position to draw a line. This failure of the locals have resulted in hundreds of thousands of people being killed, displaced, made homeless or devoured by sea are some countries shut the door in their face.

Is the opposition still thinking that it is able to impose its will on these two powers who have seemingly given their verdict particularly after the US Secretary of State John Kerry visited Moscow carrying a red suitcase containing the solution to the crisis?

Did some of the world powers, five years ago, not ask for the ‘departure’ of the current Syrian regime? Now, the same powers are talking of the need of a political solution and dialogue among the local rivals?

The opposition must show flexibility to help Syria escape from the clutches of Mullahs, the regime that will be the only beneficiary of the war which it utilizes to produce terrorist groups such as DAESH, Al-Nusra, Hezbollah and others. These mercenaries are thirsty for the blood of the Syrians.

Therefore, they have continued to grow bigger and stronger, physically and financially in the midst of ongoing death and destruction while the country continues to shrink.

Moreover, the negotiators in Geneva must realize that terrorists will not help achieve any of their goals because they themselves will be the first victims of these terrorist groups.

So, we tell Syrians: Think about it and agree if you really want to protect Syria; otherwise you will lose your country.

By Ahmed Al-Jarallah – Editor-in-Chief, the Arab Times

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