Highlights: Syria: after thirteen years of war, the humanitarian situation is worsening and attacks continue. The first step towards normalization was regional, with Syria's return to the Arab League last year. But the results remain mixed, estimates Thomas Pierret, research fellow at the CNRS. On the Western side, the director of the Franco-Syrian humanitarian NGO Mehad regrets a stated desire to turn the page on the conflict. The violence since October is therefore the most significant in four years, experts indicate.

Thirteen years ago, the Syrian people rose up against the ruling power. After years of war, the regime of Bashar al-Assad managed to regain control of a large part of the country. He…

Syria: after thirteen years of war, the humanitarian situation is worsening and attacks continue

Thirteen years ago, the Syrian people rose up against the ruling power.

After years of war, the regime of Bashar al-Assad managed to regain control of a large part of the country.

It is now striving to rehabilitate its image on the international scene while the Syrian population continues to face poverty and violence.

A flag bearing the image of Bashar al-Assad at a checkpoint in Douma, on the outskirts of Damascus, March 10, 2021. REUTERS - OMAR SANADIKI

By: RFI Follow

The first step towards normalization was regional, with

Syria

's return to the

Arab League

last year.

But the results remain mixed, estimates Thomas Pierret, research fellow at the CNRS: “

There is a completely completed normalization, for example with the

United Arab Emirates
, which remains in progress with Saudi Arabia.
That is to say that there are certain files which still remain under discussion.
That said, there are two countries that have played an important role in the normalization of recent years, Jordan

and
Egypt

,
which are quite disappointed with the results.
Some diplomats from these countries believe that they have made a lot of concessions to the regime and that it has not given much in return.

On the Western side, the director of the Franco-Syrian humanitarian NGO Mehad regrets a stated desire to turn the page on the conflict: “

The impression is that the international community is in a contradiction.
On the one hand, economic sanctions against Syria are still ongoing, but at the same time institutional donors are talking about the normalization of relations with the Syrian regime and its post-conflict recovery.
However, the conflict is still ongoing, so we cannot say that the situation is normal, as if nothing had happened.

Also read: Syria: normalization underway?

A catastrophic humanitarian situation in the face of international disinterest

On the international scene, the NGO believes that attention has been turned away from the fate of the Syrian population.

However, far from improving, the humanitarian situation is worsening day by day, warns the NGO Mehad.

“

According to colleagues who live and work in areas controlled by the Syrian government, populations suffer from shortages of medicines, problems related to access to care, due to lack of money.
There is also a lack of food due to sanctions imposed by the international community on the country.
There is a lack of donors to finance humanitarian projects

,” explains the director of the NGO.

Mego Terzian specifies that they were even forced to reduce their operations.

“

Unfortunately, we make painful decisions for the populations we are trying to help.
At the same time, the World Food Program - a humanitarian branch of the United Nations - announced that it no longer had the means to continue distributing food in Syria in 2024. Which is very serious, particularly for displaced populations. in the northwest and northeast of the country.

Read alsoSyria sinks even deeper into economic crisis, the pound plunges on the black market

An unprecedented level of violence

In the country, the level of violence is also at its highest since October, with civilians targeted by bombings and countless war crimes.

“

Syria, too, needs a ceasefire

,” says a UN commission of inquiry.

The violence since October is therefore the most significant in four years, experts indicate.

Why October?

Because it was at this time that a drone attack took place against a military academy in the city of Homs, explains our correspondent in Geneva,

Jérémie Lanche

The death toll from this attack is at least 63, perhaps more.

Damascus accuses terrorist groups, a term which can refer to Islamist rebel groups as well as the jihadist group of the Islamic State, still active in the region.

In retaliation, the Syrian regime intensified its attacks on rebel areas, with the help of the Russian army.

Hospitals, schools, markets and displaced persons camps were therefore targeted.

So many acts which constitute war crimes.

Although all parties to the conflict have generally targeted civilians, the report says.

The other consequence of this renewed violence can be measured abroad.

It has been seven years since we have seen so many Syrians requesting asylum in Europe.

As for the conflict in nearby Gaza, it also has an impact in Syria, since Israel has increased its bombings against Iranian militias present in Syria in recent months.

Syria: after thirteen years of war, the humanitarian situation is worsening and attacks continue

Syria: after thirteen years of war, the humanitarian situation is worsening and attacks continue

A catastrophic humanitarian situation in the face of international disinterest

An unprecedented level of violence

You may like

Trends 24h

Latest