The recently released book, Burning Country: Syrians in Revolution and War by Robin Yassin-Kassab and Leila Al-Shami mentions that violence by the Assad regime against Syrians provoked an armed insurgency.
But perhaps the greatest of all motivations for the armed struggle were traumatisation and the thirst for vengeance. ... [One political activist is cited saying the following] ... '90 per cent of detainees picked up arms as soon as they were released. They had very personal reasons. The fighters I know, their houses were burned, their relatives killed, they were on the run.' (Chapter 5.)We can dispute that it was 90 per cent but even if we assume the figure is too high this account still indicates that many of the Syrians who took up arms against the Assad regime were provoked into doing so. Regime brutality bred an armed response. Brutality pushed many Syrians over the edge and took up arms. Alas, no one stopped the Assad regime from pursuing violent ways of managing the widespread calls for change and accountability that arose in March 2011.
Tragically the Syrian people continue to suffer from the catastrophe imposed upon them by the Assad regime's campaign of violence and repression. A recent UN report noted that the Assad regime's treatment of prisoners may amount to extermination.
In recent days many Syrians have fled for their lives from Aleppo in the wake of severe bombardment and advances by the Assad regime. This will further contribute to the ongoing refugee crisis.
The Syrian people deserve to live in peace and safety. It is just so terrible.
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