Chasing garbage trucks

The Syrian conflict is being increasingly addressed in “endless wars” for the United States

Last week, another video showing children chasing garbage trucks and later scavenging through the trash in search of food in Idlib, Syria, went viral. Released by the Syrian Network for Human Rights, the clip showed how the most vulnerable of the 6.2 million internally displaced people, were trying to piece together some semblance of life. Their best bet is surviving on what little they can forage from the undisturbed waste of a country devastated by more than nine years of war.

The situation in the northern part of the country has deteriorated even more in recent months due to the closure of most of the humanitarian border crossings from Turkey as a result of a UNSC vote in July this year, supported by allies of the Assad regime. Subsequently, basic essentials that used to be transported through these routes are severely limited.

In just a year, the Syrian pound has depreciated by more than 70%, leading to rampant inflation. An elucidation of this is how the price of the World Food Programme food basket (which includes staples like rice and oil) has increased 247% since October 2019. In these circumstances, a person who can afford to wait six hours to buy two bags of bread is considered privileged.

Fighting in Syria has tapered into a restive impasse. The country is still divided into pockets which are largely controlled by either the Assad regime or the opposition forces. Internationally sponsored negotiations aimed at finding a political solution have almost completely dried up. The sheer numbers of Syrian refugees residing in neighbouring countries have changed the demographics of the Middle East. One third of Lebanon’s population and almost 20% of the population in Jordan is Syrian. More than four million reside in Turkey. So far, only 250,000 Syrians who fled the country have returned home.

In November, the government hosted a grand symposium in Damascus, during which President Assad encouraged Syrians to return, all the while blaming Western nations of damaging his country’s economy with sanctions and thereby stopping asylum seekers from returning home. However, he conveniently left out the main factor inhibiting refugees from returning — himself. Most refugees fear that going home could mean arrest, torture or forced enlistment into the army.

The Syrian conflict is being increasingly addressed in what are according to Mr Trump’s vocabulary “endless wars” for the United States, the resolution of which can only come about if the US completely disengages from them altogether. This, however could not be farther from the truth.

When President-elect Joe Biden takes oath next year, the Syrian war will be nearing its 10^th anniversary. Washington has long been a mere observer in the Syrian conflict and many fear it will be the same subject matter with the incoming US administration. However, the appointment of Antony Blinken as secretary of state portends an indication that the Biden government would be a more honest actor in Syria and try to rectify previous missteps. Mr Blinken has openly acknowledged what he calls the “failure of the US-Syria policy” and pointed out that Washington must start re-engaging in diplomatic efforts for a resolution maintain pressure on the Assad regime for concessions and reinstate aid supplies as well as increase sustenance to civil society actors that would help stabilise destitute areas in Syria.

However, until a clearly pronounced policy position is announced with follow-up actions and commitment to match, hollow phrases and an unceasing war will only result in perpetual devastation, hunger, poverty and more children who should be pursuing their dreams, instead of chasing garbage trucks.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 9^th, 2020.

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