Katie Hunter |
Conflicts involving Islamic State continue to dominate the news with another attack reported on Saturday in the eastern city of Deir al-Zour in Syria, one of a number of towns under siege as a result of Syria’s five year civil war.
Islamic State militants are reported to have abducted 400 civilians, thought be Sunni Muslims, during a bloody assault. At least 135 people were said to have died in the attack, the Observatory reported, 85 of which were civilians and 50 were pro-government fighters. However, there have been conflicting reports putting the death toll at nearly 300 and suggestions that all the civilians were women, children and elderly people. Another claimed that the victims were Syrian soldiers and pro-government militants and their families. During the attack, the militants are said to have crucified and beheaded some of those they killed.
Islamic State itself is a Sunni Islamist group who’s aim is to persecutes Shia Muslims and non-Muslims in the areas under its control.
Syrian government forces retaliated with air strikes and heavy artillery. The Russian air force has been dropping humanitarian aid for civilians trapped in the city as well as reportedly carrying out air strikes in the vicinity. Despite the basic supplies that have been delivered by helicopter and air drops, the UN says there is a dire shortage of food and medicine, and widespread malnutrition. There are unverified reports that a number of people have starved to death there.
The attack happened as a result of the civil war going on in Syria as mentioned earlier this has been ongoing for almost five years. The Civil War began with anti-government protests which escalated, causing more than 250,000 lives to be lost. A further 11 million others have been forced to flee from their homes as forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad and rebels opposed to his rule battle each other. It is one of the largest refugee movements in recent history.
All parties involved in the conflict are using siege warfare, encircling populated areas, preventing civilians from leaving and blocking humanitarian access in an attempt to force the opponents to surrender.
What can we do to help?
Despite the fact the crisis does not directly affect us, there are many things we could do to help the many vulnerable Syrian citizens. According to the UN, it will take £5 billion to meet the urgent needs of the most vulnerable Syrians in 2016. It doesn’t look like the fighting is likely to end any time soon. We can easily take a few minutes out of our day to think about how fortunate we are and to spare some change for those who are being in serious danger Syria but also for those who have fled, leaving everything behind in the hope of a better life are still living in refugee camps.
Many petitions have been put in action to tell Congress its time to end the Syria crisis which we can sign and help raise awareness to the magnitude of the Civil War.
Welcoming Syrians in the UK was a huge debate in 2015 and this is another important factor. By taking refugees into other countries, we are consequently saving innocent lives. The Syrians aren’t in the same danger living in other countries as they don’t have to deal with the constant fear of attacks. This attack is just one of many examples and you can see why civilians are so desperate putting their lives at risk to flee the country as what what they have had to endure in Syria is beyond comprehension.
