My Turn: Assad’s Transparent Campaign of Terror

The atrocities have proved merciless and unimaginable.

What began and would have proceeded as a civil discourse over regime change and human rights within Syria quickly devolved into an orchestrated reign of terror over opposition and “competing religions”. The Assad regime has made a point to both attempt to brutalize his opposition into submission as well as carry out a sectarian persecution of Sunnis in Syria. The horrific massacre of women and children, though denied in regards of participation by the Assad regime, was by most accounts carried out by Assad henchmen or at least armed savages emboldened by the Assad government.

The “Assad plan” is simple and transparent – claim the uprising is a terrorist assault on the security of your nation, shake “hostile” regions with government forces, then proceed to unleash beasts with weapons to carry out your dirty work.

An integral portion of this sinister scheme is the annihilation of families. Few things shake individuals to their core than atrocities committed against their friends and family. The emotional bond that fosters such resilient love can also lead to insurmountable pain. Assad, the Assad army, and Assad goons know this. The Assad regime has openly and notoriously aimed, and permitted, the brutalization of women and children. Scores of the most vulnerable, children, have been wiped out indiscriminately. Many of these attacks did not just stop at the savagery of shootings and bombings it devolved into murderous rampages that included axes.

Initial, albeit barbaric, attempts to squelch the rebellion proved ineffective for Assad. As time has tragically worn on the regime has stepped up its repression. The latest, and most shocking, events aspire to put an end to any opposition once and for all. Assad hopes to obliterate the drive and spirits of opposition by stripping them of the sanctity of their homes and the love of their families.

One can only hope the campaign of terror ceases, the spirit of the Syrian people does not break, and a regime change does manifest in the near future.