JUST A THOUGHT, ON SYRIA AND THE BATTLE FOR IDLIB - A NECESSARY PRICE TO END THE WAR? PART 4.

The most constructive role the West and the backers of the rebels can play, in this probably final major act of this vicious and over lengthy war, is to call on the rebels to surrender. 

And on the Syrian, Russian, Iranian and Hezebollah forces to be circumspect and 'post-war and future focus', in how they go about prosecuting this final major battle.

Shouts of alarm and prophesies from Turkey and the Americans about the likely civilian cost of liberating Idlib from the rebels, are not credible. 

The Americans helped the Iraqis to destroy Mosul, and they destroyed Raqqa and Kobane, in Syria. While the Turks attacked Afrin in Syria, and depopulated it. 

The concerns about death and destruction in Idlib, when it it is attacked, are real.  But the fact that there are these concerns, and that some people will lose their lives and even more, their property and livelihoods. 

Seen in the context of other towns, cities and villages which have been 'liberated' by the Americans and their allies, and the Syrian government and its allies, and even by the rebels.  

Does not, of itself, mean that Idlib should not be retaken by the Syrian government. It just mean that great care should be applied in doing so.


Wars should only be fought as a last resort, and I can understand how many people, especially those living in Idlib, will be of the view that it is not necessary for the Syrian government to attack the rebels in their midst. 

Indeed, is is the case that many of them will support the rebels, some of whom are their relatives, their former neighbours and so on. They are committed to the struggle to depose the government and have their own installed in power. 

To be continued!