What’s Really Happening Inside Syria?

Some common myths about the crisis in Syria and the reality behind them...

More than 200,000 Syrians have been killed in Syria since 2011. Reports of murder, famine, torture and the use of chemical weapons against ordinary Syrians are standard. When most people hear about the crisis in Syria the so called "Islamic State" comes to mind. But are ISIL to blame for this death toll?

The responsibility for the murder of over 200,000 Syrians sits with the Assad regime. Assad claims to be fighting terrorists in Syria but in reality he has created the environment for extremism to grow, and has done almost nothing to stop the advance of ISIL in places like Kobane. Instead he focuses on attacking Syrian men and women who reject his brutal dictatorship.

It is the moderate opposition, ordinary Syrian men and women, who are fighting not only ISIL extremists, but the regime, in order to protect their homes and country.

Here are some common myths about the crisis in Syria and the reality behind them...

Myth: Supporting Assad might be the least-bad option - he is the lesser of two evils surely?

A poster inside Syria, reading: ‘There is no difference, Da'esh (ISIL) or Assad. Neither Da'esh nor Assad... freedom forever’.

Truth: Let’s be clear about Assad’s record. Almost four years ago the Syrian people began peaceful protests calling for elections in Syria. He responded with violence, he lied to the world about his use of chemical weapons against the Syrian people, he continues to conduct air attacks and drop barrel bombs on defenceless civilians and he has unlawfully and arbitrarily detained, tortured and executed thousands of Syrians.

Myth: Ok but surely it’s only a matter of time before Assad wins?

Truth: We should not over-estimate Assad’s strength: he is not winning and cannot win militarily. He has destroyed whole cities and driven millions of people from their homes simply to hold on to power, but now he is ruling over rubble and his army is desperately overstretched. Assad can’t “win” because while he is in power most Syrians cannot life safely under his rule.

Myth: The opposition in Syria are all terrorists.

Truth: The vast majority of people who oppose the Assad regime and ISIL are ordinary people: teachers, farmers, doctors, and civil servants. The moderate groups the UK Government is supporting want a future for Syria where all Syrians are protected and live free of oppression, not just Assad’s sect.

ISIL are not part of the Syrian moderate opposition. The moderate opposition has repeatedly condemned Islamic extremism, and is committed to fighting ISIL and all it stands for.

Myth: The National Coalition would rule Syria if Assad left power.

Truth: The National Coalition is an umbrella organisation of different political groups who represent Syrian Sunnis, Shias, Kurds, and Christians. These groups have come together to try and create a better future for Syria, without Assad. Many members of the National Coalition have been imprisoned and tortured by the regime.

The President of the National Coalition makes no claim to be the future President of Syria. The National Coalition has explained that they foresee a temporary and transitional government being created which includes both sides. Once Syria is then ready for elections this organisation will dissolve themselves. It is for the people of Syria to decide on the future government of their country.

Myth: The rise of ISIL was caused by the West, not Assad.

Truth: Assad has done virtually nothing to stop ISIL’s progress, choosing instead to attack the Syrian people and the opposition who are fighting for their basic rights.

ISIL have been able to establish themselves in Syria because Assad is focused solely on holding on to his own power. In fact, there is good reason to believe that in 2011, when the Syrian people began to rise up against his dictatorship, that Assad released many dangerous extremists from prison. His goal? To discredit the everyday Syrians trying to challenge his dictatorship.

Myth: the UK and international community have done nothing for Syria.

Truth: The UK has not intervened militarily, but it has committed over £800 million to help ensure Syrians get access to food, water and shelter. It’s the biggest ever aid effort by the British government. The UK has also spent more than £50 million to support the Syrian moderate opposition, including the National Coalition, to help Syrians create a safer Syria.

The UK has also played a leading role in the international effort to eliminate declared chemical weapons stocks from Syria – removing almost 200 tonnes of chemical materials and destroying them in the UK.

The UK Government is also helping ordinary Syrians to set up Civil Defence groups. These groups carry out search and rescue operations, fire fighting and deliver first aid in Syria saving thousands of lives. This is one of a range of projects the UK government has supported inside Syria.

Myth: Nothing is working in Syria; we should step back and let the bloodshed play out.

Truth: The rise of ISIL across Syria and Iraq underlines that unless more is done to resolve the crisis, the situation will get worse. ISIL isn’t just a threat to the Middle East; it has been effective at recruiting foreign fighters from many countries, including the UK. We have to ensure that we are not complacent about our efforts in the UK and that we protect our own national security too.

Myth: The UK only cares about getting rid of the Assad regime at any cost. This will lead to chaos, just like it did in Iraq.

Truth: We want a future that the Syrian people are happy with. The first step is the agreement of a transitional government made up of representatives of the regime and the opposition. The moderate opposition have been clear that Assad cannot be part of that government, because of his crimes against the Syrian people. It is the Syrian people who have said that Assad must go.

Want to know what more the UK government is doing to help the Syrian people? Visit: www.UKHelps.com