by Félix Maradiaga, WLC Leadership Council member.
In recent weeks, over 60,000 people have been forcibly displaced again in northern Syria, adding to the staggering number of over 12 million Syrians displaced since the start of the war in 2011—half the country’s population. Of these, 6 million have been forced to leave Syria entirely, while the others live in makeshift encampments, primarily in the north. Entire families now endure inhumane conditions in these camps as the unforgiving winter approaches. For those of us who have personally suffered the traumatic experience of dictatorships, civil wars, and forced displacement, Syria’s plight feels painfully familiar.
Yet, as a member of the World Liberty Congress (WLC)—an organization of political dissidents and pro-democracy activists from 56 countries—I have had the privilege of working alongside heroic Syrians who dream of a nation at peace. Each piece of news about Syria is not just a distant story; I think of my colleagues and their families, whose courage continues to inspire us. The memories of their struggle also evoke my own painful past. It is lamentable—and a deep personal sorrow—that my earliest memories as a child are of bombs and war during Nicaragua’s civil conflict in 1979. To witness history repeat itself in Syria fills me with profound indignation, a sorrow for the countless innocent lives shattered, and an outrage at the international inaction that allows such suffering to persist.
HTS’s Offensive: A Calculated Challenge to Assad
The latest HTS-led assault, the most significant since 2020, has seized at least ten areas in Aleppo province. This advance exposes not only the Syrian regime’s vulnerabilities but also the intricate dynamics at play in the region. HTS, designated a terrorist organization by the United States, seeks to exploit the weakening of Iranian militias and Hezbollah’s diminished grip in Syria to fortify its position. These groups, notorious for their destabilizing activities across the Middle East, continue to prioritize their destructive agendas over the well-being of civilians.
HTS’s timing is strategic, anticipating a potential deal between Turkey and Assad, mediated by Russia. Though Ankara has refrained from direct involvement, its tacit approval of HTS’s operation reflects a calculated gamble. However, tolerating groups like HTS risks further destabilizing the region, perpetuating a cycle of violence driven by extremist ideologies.
The Assad-Putin Alliance: Brutality Meets Incompetence
The response from Moscow and the Assad regime has been predictably ruthless yet strategically ineffectual. Airstrikes have inflicted civilian casualties and triggered mass displacements, but Assad’s ground forces have proven alarmingly feeble, losing control of key territories, including the vital M5 highway—a lifeline for commerce and logistics.
Assad’s recent pilgrimage to Moscow to plead for military and financial support underscores the regime’s fragility and dependence on Putin. For his part, the Russian dictator cynically exploits Syria as a testing ground for weapons and a lever for regional influence, with little regard for human suffering. Both tyrants exemplify the authoritarian model that thrives on repression and destruction, leaving a trail of misery in their wake.
Regional Actors: Diverging Agendas and Opportunities
The conflict in northern Syria is far from a binary struggle. It is a nexus of local, regional, and international interests:
• Turkey: Torn between containing HTS and targeting the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), Ankara’s approach risks exacerbating instability. Its calculated moves against the SDF, a group instrumental in defeating ISIS, have drawn criticism from the international community.
• Israel: Demonstrating strategic clarity, Israel has intensified its strikes against Iranian and Hezbollah targets in Syria. These precision operations not only curb the malign influence of these actors but also reinforce Israel’s commitment to its own security. Unlike other powers, Israel’s actions underscore the importance of confronting threats directly, particularly those posed by groups like Hezbollah that propagate violence and extremism.
• Southern Rebels: In Dara’a, discontented insurgents may seize the chaos to reignite their fight against Assad, potentially opening a new front.
The Deafening Silence of the International Community
The international community’s inaction is as staggering as it is disgraceful. Beyond perfunctory sanctions and symbolic condemnations, global powers remain paralyzed, allowing millions of civilians to suffer. Stability in Syria is not just a moral imperative but a strategic necessity to prevent a broader regional conflagration.
Concrete measures are desperately needed: safe humanitarian corridors, an immediate ceasefire, and a framework for inclusive negotiations that prioritize human rights over power politics. Anything less will perpetuate the suffering and embolden actors like Assad, Putin, and Hezbollah, whose disregard for human dignity drives much of the region’s turmoil.
The Syrian conflict is more than a localized catastrophe—it is a grim illustration of how protracted wars destabilize entire regions and challenge global security. This is not merely a call to action; it is a demand for justice and accountability.
The question is not whether the world must act, but when. Each day of inaction condemns thousands to needless suffering. For Assad and his enabler Putin, Syria is a chessboard. For Hamas and Hezbollah, it’s a theater for their ideological hatred. For the rest of us, it must be a solemn reminder that the forces of extremism and authoritarianism thrive in the shadows of our indifference. In the words of Syrian poet Nizar Qabbani, “How can I write if my hands are tied? How can I love if my heart is suffocated?” These words echo the cries of millions who yearn for peace and liberty in Syria.
