Town in Syria Wiped Out

Ben Heitmann

Blog Post #4

            Recently, BBC World News released an article regarding further conflict in the war-ridden nation of Syria. This report specifically covers the violence that is taking place in al-Safira, “a small town in the Aleppo countryside” (The BBC), and its powerful effect on the area. Beginning as a push by rebels for freedom and democracy, the Syrian Civil War has transformed into a nightmare for civilians across the nation.

Originally home to just over 100,000 civilians, the population of al-Safira nearly doubled due to displaced Syrians from other parts of the country moving in with friends and relatives. Many people had escaped from battles in their hometowns, but not for long. The war eventually reached the Aleppo area when rebel forces advanced into al-Safira. This move initiated the government to follow and destroy anything and anyone getting in their way. Many civilians escaped while they could; yet, hundreds were killed, thousands were injured, and the majority of buildings were blown to shreds. Essentially, the town of al-Safira was reduced to a pile of abandoned rubble.

            While their homes and lives were ruined by government bombardments, many Syrian people still support the rebel cause. The rebels, now consisting of “foreign fighters from Libya, Iraq and Saudi Arabia together with Syrian Islamists”, have managed to make some serious gains in the Aleppo region (The BBC). Since towns and cities have been crushed, the rebels put their eyes on places such as military bases and airfields. Specifically, the Aleppo International Airport is a key target, which may contain “part of the government's suspected chemical weapons stock”, says The BBC. While both sides continue to fight, there are two primary notes to be made; rebel forces consist of Islamists who may want to turn Syria into a strictly Islamic state, and the control of chemical weapons could be up in the air.

 

Sources

The BBC. "Syria Crisis." BBC.co.uk. British Broadcasting Corporation, 19 Feb. 2013. Web. 25 Mar. 2013. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-21504390>.