What next for Syria?
Harun Yahya
There is no doubt a solution-oriented active resolution period for the Syrian civil war, which has caused a humanitarian disaster, has begun. This brutal civil war, which has been going on for more than four years has had a tremendous effect especially on Syrian people, and also on its neighboring countries and the West. There is an intense diplomatic traffic within the region among many states to bring the Syrian Civil War to an end with the guarantee of Russia and Iran. Additionally, many believe that following the successful conclusion of the P5+1 Iran nuclear deal, it is a perfect time for Iran to take an active role to bring the Syrian conflict to an end in a peaceful way. Certainly, the Assad regime has reached its weakest point militarily since 2012, Assad admitting as much quite recently. To achieve this goal, Iran's FM Javad Zarif began visiting countries to drum up support for their new peace plan.
How the Syrian people were affected by the civil war
People were closely monitoring the incidents going on in the Syrian civil war in the early stages; however, as the years went by they got used to the war and considered it as little more than distressing news from a far-off distant land, even though the conflict was accelerating. It is deeply disturbing to see that people do not show sensitivity or act with their conscience when hardship does not affect themselves or their loved ones. In fact, the children, the women and the innocent civilians losing their lives are our children, our people. If we lose our ability to care for those in need then we should not be surprised to see that we do not have anyone on our side when we need help the most. Some figures vis a vis the Syrian conflict would enlighten us about the seriousness of the situation. During this brutal war, ten million Syrians have been directly affected by the civil war. That is nearly half of the population in Syria has been exposed to the effects of the conflict. More than half of Syria's refugees consist of women and minors and most of them are living in very harsh conditions outside refugee camps. Furthermore, Syrians who did not take refuge in neighboring countries found themselves internally displaced within Syria due to security reasons. It is quite apparent to see that it is always the innocent civilians who suffer the most during times of war. The children, the women and the elderly have to live under very difficult conditions and sometimes it is difficult for them to find clean water to drink, much less to clean themselves. More than 300,000 people have lost their lives and four million have had to leave their countries. Turkey has assumed the role of elder brother for our Syrian neighbors by harboring half of the total of Syrian refugees. President Erdoğan considers welcoming people running from areas of conflict both as a conscientious and a religious duty. Hence, with the new Iran plan, which FM Zarif will put forth to the UN, it is essential for Turkey and Iran to come to terms on a cease-fire in Syria to put an end to this long-lasting tragedy in the region.
The urgent necessity of a regional cooperation
It is very painful to see Muslims targeting other Muslims in the Middle East. Islam is the essence and the common ground of the people and the countries in the Middle East. We cannot think of a Middle East without taking into consideration our beautiful faith, Islam. It is Islam that makes the region stand tall but regrettably, these days we are witnessing people killing one another using the name of Islam, which is unacceptable since Islam forbids killing: Killing one person is like killing the whole of humanity. It is essential to solve political issues through diplomacy instead of resorting to war. Islam is a religion of love, unity and brotherhood and resorting to mass murder based on sectarian differences is what God strictly forbids Muslims to do as such monstrous actions simply result in blood and pain, things which have no place in the real Islam based on the Qur’an. It was a wise move for Zarif to publish a notice in prominent Arab newspapers on August 3 titled “Your Neighbor Before Your Home: A Moral Recommendation or a Strategic Approach,” in which he called for a regional dialogue among all Muslim countries to end the conflicts in the region - and especially in Syria - under UN supervision.
The unity of Iran and Turkey
Given the hot situation in the Middle East and the ongoing problems among the neighboring countries, it is easy to see the utmost importance of the Muslim countries to come together and form a peaceful solution through dialogue. Iran and Turkey are the two strongest countries with a very rich historical and cultural background and both view the security and the stability of the region as a priority. A strong alliance between Iran and Turkey would be beneficial in ending the terrorist extremism escalating in the region. It is this alliance, which will have the ability to create a cease-fire in Syria and allow the children and civilians to wear a smile on their faces once again. Most assuredly, this is not going to happen overnight, because this civil war has traumatized the citizens of Syria and the area more than we can imagine and it will take a good deal of time to bring back the people – and the country – to fully recover. Still, we have hope that with the help of a strong bond between Turkey and Iran, both of whom eagerly want this appalling bloodshed to end, peace and freedom will prevail by the will of God.
Adnan Oktar's piece on Tehran Times:
