For 13 years, Syria has been engulfed in unimaginable suffering, with its people enduring war, displacement, and oppression. The fall of Bashar al-Assad’s brutal regime – a symbol of systematic human rights violations including imprisonment, torture, and murder – has sparked hope. Yet, this moment demands more than hope. It demands action.

The international community must finally confront the tragic reality of Syria: a nation treated as a chessboard by global powers, where the people’s humanity is overshadowed by the pursuit of geopolitical advantage. From Russia and Iran to Turkey, the United States, NATO, Israel, and Qatar, these players have exploited Syria, each backing factions to further their own interests. These interventions have fuelled sectarian violence, displaced millions, and committed crimes against humanity, all while leaving Syrians to grapple with unending loss and despair.

It is time to say enough. Enough of treating Syria as a prize to be divided. Enough of forced displacement and the endless deaths at Europe’s borders. Enough of racism in countries meant to be places of refuge. The cycle of normalised violence must end.

Thirteen years of war

The war in Syria began in 2011 when pro-democracy protests, part of the broader Arab Spring, were met with a violent crackdown by Assad’s government. The result was civil war. Over 507,000 lives have been lost, and 13.5 million people – more than half of Syria’s pre-war population—have been displaced internally or abroad. Cities like Aleppo and Idlib became harrowing symbols of destruction, with their communities shattered by bombings, forced displacement, and torture.

Assad’s regime, backed by Russia and Iran, carried out systematic torture and suppression, imprisoning over 136,000 people for daring to dissent. Opposition forces, fragmented and often co-opted by foreign powers, have also perpetuated violence. Meanwhile, Turkey and Qatar have fuelled the chaos by supporting various factions for their own geopolitical gains.

Turkey’s role in Syria is devastating. Under the guise of fighting terrorism, Turkey has waged a relentless campaign to eliminate Kurdish communities and dismantle the Rojava region. The Kurdish people, who resisted ISIS and sought a pluralistic society in northern Syria, now face systematic extermination and displacement by Turkey’s military incursions. This is not merely a geopolitical strategy – it is ethnic cleansing.

Meanwhile, the rise of a radical Islamist regime in Syria’s post-Assad power vacuum has placed the country’s Christian communities under severe threat. These ancient communities, which have survived for millennia, now face unprecedented violence and persecution. Churches have been attacked, families displaced, and lives destroyed by the unchecked extremism that thrives in the absence of accountability.

Syria has been reduced to a battlefield for global and regional powers. The land and its people have been treated as resources to exploit, with no regard for the human cost.

Israel is invading Syria

Adding to the tragedy is Israel’s illegal occupation of the Golan Heights, a seizure that dates back to 1967. In recent months, Israel has escalated its aggression by invading Syrian territory under the pretext of creating a “buffer zone.” These invasions have been accompanied by bombings and forced displacement, further exacerbating the suffering of Syrians already reeling from years of conflict.

Over the past two days, Israel has carried out 480 strikes across Syria, destroying over 80 percent of the country’s military assets and seizing significant territory while claiming to be “transforming the face of the Middle East.”

Syria has been treated like a chessboard where global and regional powers exploit the land and its people for their own gain, worsening the suffering.

A vision for Syria: Safety, justice, and hope

The people of Syria deserve peace, dignity, and the chance to rebuild their nation on their terms. This begins with safety – ensuring that every Syrian can live free from war, oppression, and fear. Syrians must have the right to carve out a future of their own making.

Family tracing and reunification (FTR) must be prioritised. Over 136,000 people have been imprisoned under Assad, many subjected to torture or execution. Thousands of families remain separated, their loved ones unaccounted for. International organisations and NGOs must urgently address this crisis, dedicating resources to rescuing survivors and reuniting families.

The right to return is paramount. Millions of Syrians remain displaced, scattered across the globe. They must have the option to come home when they are ready, rebuild their lives, and reconnect with their communities.

Immediate humanitarian action is also essential. The European Union and the German government must significantly increase aid to organisations providing life-saving assistance in Syria. Furthermore, long-term commitments to restoration and rebuilding are needed to ensure the nation’s recovery.

Justice and accountability are non-negotiable. War crimes, crimes against humanity, torture, and systemic human rights abuses committed by all parties – including Assad’s regime, opposition factions, and foreign powers – must not go unpunished.

Finally, Syria’s liberation must not be exploited for political agendas. The fall of Assad’s regime cannot be used as an excuse for right-wing governments to deny asylum to Syrians or deport those who have sought safety abroad.

Stand in solidarity

The path to a peaceful and just Syria requires collective action. The international community must stand in unwavering solidarity with the Syrian people.

• Raise awareness about the humanitarian crisis in Syria and engage with Syrian voices.
• Donate to trusted organisations aiding Syrians, particularly those focused on family tracing and reunification efforts.
• Advocate for accountability, demanding justice for war crimes and systemic abuses.
• Oppose policies like the German government’s recent decision to halt new asylum applications from Syrians.

Let this moment mark a turning point – not just for hope but for tangible change. The people of Syria deserve more than empty promises; they deserve safety, dignity, and a future free from exploitation and violence.

Peace for Syria. Not a piece of Syria.

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