Only those who chose to ignore warnings from @SyrianACD and countless others are now feigning consternation that desperate Syrians are trying to reach the safety of Europe. In May 2019, SACD's Khaled Terkawi laid out the scenario we are witnessing today: alaraby.co.uk/english/Commen…
His words from almost a year ago echo in texts published by Syrians today: "When it comes to western governments, the suffering of Syrian civilians in Idlib targeted by Russian airstrikes and Assad's artillery is largely being met with indifference or weakly worded statements.
To a Syrian this is not so much surprising, as it is disheartening. We have experienced this indifference already in Homs, Aleppo and Ghouta. As tens of thousands are displaced from Idlib towards the Turkish border,
the absence of a strong response to Assad's atrocities will have far-reaching political consequences for the West, and particularly the European Union." Nobody can claim there was not plenty of warning about what is unfolding today.
Countless others like Sam Hamad have tried to sound the alarm of what was to become inevitable if the West allows Russia and Assad to continue to target civilians in a systematic and criminal manner:
The idea that Syrians are somehow not worthy of protection or a safe and dignified life and that their lives are somehow an acceptable price to pay for the "endgame" in the Syrian conflict fuelled the willingness to ignore such warnings.
Europe is a hope for safety not only for those escaping the catastrophe of Idlib but also for returnees and many others living under the regime's terror, which is only becoming more intense as its economy collapses. We documented this thoroughly.
Should West continue to choose to ignore the reality and refuse to act to stop the mass slaughter in Idlib, as our analysis lays out in detail, the consequences will be devastating and long-term. For all of us. mei.edu/publications/i…
