Fresh reports top the news almost daily of the continuing violence in Syria. Death counts are rising with casualties on both sides. EU bans and international uproar seem to have no effect and the Syrian military continues its advances on opposition occupied cities. When the Syrian crisis began in early 2011 the world watched in horror. Thousands were killed and the situation has continued to escalate. The instigating demonstrations began nearly a year ago to protest the imprisonment of children, but as a result of the violence thousands of lives have been taken – many of the dead are civilians caught in the midst of this struggle. Neither side seems willing to make concessions and violence continues. There are three groups opposing the governments and of these, the Free Syrian Army (FSA) is leading the military uprising. Do these groups have the right to continue fighting the government while civilians are consequently being slaughtered? The Syrian government is being indiscriminate in its killing and using the Free Syrian Army as its excuse. If the FSA were to stand down any continued violent action by the government would result in international uproar and foreign support would have a much more clear path of action. I worry that the value of the individuals lost is being forgotten in the midst of this desperate rights movement. Read the full history of conflict here.
