What is Syrian Crisis?
The unrest began on 15 March 2011, with popular protests that grew nationwide by
April 2011. These protests were part of the wider North African and Middle
Eastern protest movements known as the Arab Spring. Syrian protesters at first
demanded democratic and economic reform within the framework of the existing
government. In April 2011, the Syrian Army was deployed to quell the uprising
and soldiers fired on demonstrators across the country. After months of military
sieges, the protests evolved into an armed rebellion.
In 2013, Hezbollah entered the war in support of the Syrian army. The Syrian
government is further upheld by military support from Russia, which it stepped
up in the winter of 2013-2014, and Iran, while Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United
States transfer weapons to the rebels.
This crisis started with a very simple demand of democratic rights for the
public. Government failed to comply with. Political imprisonment and killing of
protests triggered violent civil war.
International Division:
Syria is Iran‘s only Arab ally. Syrian alliance with Iran is the main reason
that Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Israel and the US are hedging against the Assad
regime. Turkey has provided shelter to Syrian opposition particularly the Free
Syrian Army. Turkey has also provided refuge to a large number of Syrian
refugees. In June 2012, a Turkish jet was shot down by Syrian army for alleged
violation of its air space and in another incident in October 2012 there was an
exchange of artillery fire on the border.
British and France are in favour of arms supply to rebels while other countries
in EU oppose the idea. UK and France want an military intervention but Germany
is opposed to it. Syria enjoys strong support form Russia. China and Russia
opposed to military intervention in Syria. Both countries have vetoed Security
Council resolutions on Syria.
Pakistan's Policy on Syria:
There are many factors involved when policy makers emerge country's foriegn
policy. We have to safeguard our interests, and our interests are safe when we
stand along with other friendly countries in the world. We have friends on both
sides. Saudi Arabia and Turkey on the one side of Syrian divide and China on the
other. Pakistan has been neutral on the issue but now our friendly countries are
asking our support and active role in resolving the crisis.
Most of our friendly countries are on the same page. Most most of them believe
that change of regime in syria is the only solution to this cirisis. Almost all
other resolves are existed. More than 140,000 people have been killed in the
crisis. Humanitarian aspect of this problem demands to come up with some active
foreign policy. Pakistan should take the stance which is in Pakistan's best
interest and which can bring peace in syria.