United Nations secretary-general Ban Ki-moon has categorically stated that Russia and China veto of the UN resolution on Syria has prompted the country to “step up its war on its own people”.
Ban was speaking about the country’s third largest city, Homs: a strong base of opposition against President Bashar al-Assad’s rule, and where the Syrian army is carrying out mortar and rocket attacks to end the 11-month uprising. Caught in the crossfire are hundreds of civilian casualties. Last Thursday alone, reports claimed that some 100 people were killed in cold blood and several hundred more were seriously wounded.
But the trouble is not restricted to Homs, with heavy army operations against rebels in both the northern city of Idlib and the southern area of Deraa. Observers believe that the crisis will likely spread to other parts of the country in the coming days.
Ban described the actions of President Assad’s army as “appalling brutality”. But such words are not strong enough to protect the Syrian people. We believe that the international community should be doing much more. Moreover, China and Russia should be reminded that by their veto, they are supporting the massacre of innocent people.
As for President Assad, although we believe his days are numbered, every effort must be made to hold him accountable for his heinous deeds.
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