Syrian Conflict Escalates

By Alessandra Setaro

Staff Reporter

The Syrian Civil War has terrorized the country of Syria ever since March 15, 2011.

Constant bombings, military intervention and international involvements have turned Syria into a permanent war zone, which has left Syrian citizens in desperate need of peace.

“It’s not fair because they’re still humans. We, as a world, should be able to help them out,” said Sharifa Ahmed, President of the Muslim Student Awareness Club, also known as MSA.

Families in Syria have been forced out of their homes and are seeking safety in
surrounding countries, such as Jordan and Lebanon.

Reports show the United States and Russia have brought up a plan to ceasefire in Syria, but need the citizens’ and the military’s cooperation.

“I think the world should pay a little more attention to them and just try to help them out,” said Ahmed. “There are some Syrian refugees living locally, but it took up to three years for them to get their Visa and flee the country.”

Reports say that the United Nations has been sending aid workers to deliver food, shelter and medicine to women, children and the elderly, but the workers’ safety cannot be guaranteed.

Airstrikes on Thursday killed at least 23 people and nine children, according to CNN.

However, these bombings were not in violation of the recent ceasefire agreement.  The attacks occurred in the eastern province of Deir Ezzor, which is outside of the areas included in the agreement.

“There’s no military solution,” said President Obama in regards to the Syrian crisis.

The President supports Secretary of State John Kerry’s plan to ceasefire and says Syrian President Bashar al-Assad lost legitimacy as a ruler long ago.

Some complications with helping the Syrian people in the attacks include keeping the people in ISIS-controlled territories safe. However, reports say the ceasefire agreement does not apply to these areas.

“Reaching out and helping the Syrian people in need will only stop terrorism at its tracks and create a better world for all our children to come,” said Assistant Director of the English Language Institute and Advisor to the MSA Club Hala Alkasm.

Hala Alkasm is also a Syrian native herself.

Alkasm says the Syrian people feel the rest of the world has forgotten about them.        Though they are known to flee to surrounding countries, most of those countries have closed off their borders.

“What do you expect a human like you and I to do when no one else will help them or feed their children and their homes have been destroyed at no fault of their own?” said Alkasm.

Last semester, the MSA Club held a donation drive to help with recovery efforts in Syria.

With the new school year starting up, club members are currently coming up with new ways to fundraise and continue in their efforts to help Syria.

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