Syria’s Assad Arrives in Saudi Arabia for Arab League Summit
The Syrian conflict is one of the most prolonged and devastating conflicts in modern history. Over the past 12 years, the Syrian people have endured unimaginable suffering, with over 300,000 people losing their lives, and more than 14 million becoming refugees or displaced persons. The Assad regime, supported by Russia and Iran, has been responsible for numerous atrocities, including the use of chemical weapons against civilians.
Ten years ago, on August 12, 2013, the Assad regime released sarin gas on Syrian civilians in the Eastern Ghouta area of Damascus, resulting in the deaths of 1,400 people. Similarly, on April 4, 2015, the regime carried out another sarin gas attack in the Khan al-Sheikhoun area, causing the deaths of 89 people. Then, on April 7, 2018, a chemical weapons attack occurred in the city of Douma in Eastern Ghouta, claiming the lives of 43 people. These are not mere numbers; they represent the horrifying reality of the Syrian war.
In 2014, Caesar’s Law was enacted, named after an officer who defected from the Syrian regime. He leaked 55,000 photos revealing the torture and deaths of 11,000 detainees in regime prisons. This act exposed the brutalities committed by the regime and shed light on the grave human rights violations taking place.
Despite the atrocities committed by the Assad regime, it was invited to the Arab League summit in Jeddah, in the presence of Arab countries and the Ukrainian president. However, when the Ukrainian president started his speech, Bashar al-Assad, along with the Syrian delegation, took off the translation headphones, refusing to listen to the speech of the Ukrainian president in which he spoke about Russia’s brutality and massacres in Syria and Ukraine. He took off his headphones with all insolence and contempt.
The question arises: How is Syria being allowed to rejoin the Arab League? How can a criminal dictator be welcomed back? The return of refugees and displaced persons under his rule seems implausible and unacceptable. Allowing Assad to remain in power is not a viable solution. The only solution lies in removing this oppressive regime and ending its brutality. The only solution is the Syrian people.
As a Syrian, the idea of returning to Assad’s rule is unacceptable. We have dedicated years of struggle, sacrificed education, lost loved ones, and become refugees. We will not betray those who sacrificed their lives for this revolution. We will not let down the thousands of detainees who are waiting for victory and freedom. Promises, lies, and a return to the rule of those who tortured them are not what they need.
Finding a solution for Syria after 12 years of war is undoubtedly challenging. However, the fight for freedom is ongoing, and we will not retreat from it, even at the cost of our lives. The Syrian people deserve better, and we will not stop until we achieve our goal of a free and democratic Syria.
