Aleppo: The people of Syria have been enduring a relentless assault on all fronts — from years of war to crippling economic sanctions, and now, a devastating earthquake. The magnitude 7.8 quake that struck on February 6 has only exacerbated the already dire situation in the region, leaving countless families displaced and in need of urgent assistance. While neighbouring Turkiye has seen a flood of international aid in response to the disaster, a beleaguered Syria has been largely left to face this latest catastrophe alone.
As if that weren't enough, the people of Damascus woke up Sunday to the sound of missile strikes, with Syrian security agencies pointing the finger at Israel. The targeted area of Kafr Sousa, which houses key defence and intelligence officials, has left many wondering if this latest attack is a sign of even darker times ahead for a nation already stretched to its limits.
Just walk around the streets of Aleppo, the once-thriving economic hub of Syria, and the competing devastations of both war and the recent earthquake are impossible to miss. Thirteen days on since the tragedy, however, relief has remained frustratingly elusive. With President Bashar Al Asad's government now the only hope for the survival of those caught up in the disaster, Aleppo finds itself in the midst of yet another quagmire of lost hopes and broken expectations. The city had already borne the brunt of four years under siege from rebel forces (2012-16) and continues to be surrounded on three sides. To the west, it faces the unrelenting fire of jihadist forces led by Tahrir Al Sham, an offshoot of both Al Qaeda and Al Nusra. The group's leader, Abu Mohamed Al Jolani, has already been designated a terrorist by the US, with a $1 million bounty on his head.
To the east, Kurdish rebels, including the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and YPG faction, reign over territory stretching from Hassakeh to Raqqa, the former capital of ISIS. Meanwhile, on the northern front, Syrian rebels backed by the Turkish government maintain control of the region. With heavily guarded borders and an atmosphere of mutual mistrust and suspicion, the task of facilitating aid across the territory is a Herculean one. Against this backdrop of bloodshed, animosity and natural calamity, Aleppo desperately cries out for the international help and attention that is so tragically absent.
Devastation All Around Aleppo
From Halwania square to Mashrakh, the landscape of Aleppo is scarred by mountains of debris that serve as a bitter reminder of the devastation wrought by both war and earthquake. So severe is the damage that the foundations of numerous buildings in the immediate and far-reaching vicinity have been shaken to their core. Residents are understandably reluctant to return to their partially or completely damaged homes. At Halwania square, a long row of buildings — already battered and broken by years of civil war — found themselves squarely in the path of the tremor. Across the road, one building lay in ruins, having claimed the lives of eight members of a single family. The sole breadwinner, now the only surviving member, is recovering in hospital, with no one left to feed. It's a stark and heart-wrenching reminder of the human cost of this ongoing tragedy.
The tragedy that befell Mashrakh is one that Aleppo will struggle to forget. A five-story building with five flats on each floor, once teeming with life, now lies in ruins, its collapse claiming the lives of 60 residents. Such was the scale of the disaster that people from far and wide have flocked to the area to share the collective pain and suffering of the affected families. President Bashar al-Assad himself made a visit to the site, overseeing the rescue and relief operations.
Meanwhile, the Al Shalheen area of Aleppo stands as a stark testament to the urgent need for international help. Rows of buildings have been demolished in the area, leaving children to sift through the dangerous debris in search of items they can sell for a few Syrian pounds.
READ | UN Continues Cross Border Aid To Earthquake-Hit Syria As People Look To Build New Life
Aleppo was once the crown jewel of Syria, the country's largest city and the economic hub of the region. However, the city's fortunes have taken a sharp downturn in recent years, with American sanctions crippling its economy. Reconstruction efforts have come to a grinding halt in the ancient city, as regional interests and territorial supremacy take the centre stage. The impact of these sanctions is felt in even the most mundane aspects of daily life — online payments are just one example of the many economic activities that have been strangled by these restrictions.
Despite the announcement by former US President Donald Trump to withdraw troops from Syria, the US military still has its presence in the region. In Kurdish-dominated areas, US military movement is a common sight, a reminder of the ongoing complexities and tensions that continue to grip this troubled land.
As Syria reels from the aftermath of the devastating earthquake, the conflict-ridden nation faces a new threat from the intensified subversive activities of ISIS. Amid the chaos, the already fragmented relief efforts are further marred by a volley of accusations and blame-game among different factions. The rebel forces backed by Turkey allege that the Syrian government under President Assad is hindering the relief operations, while the Tahrir al Sham-led faction accuses Assad of blocking aid to the rebel-held earthquake-hit areas.
In contrast, President Assad's administration claims to have provided full support to all the victims. With no end in sight to the protracted war, the Syrian people bear the brunt of this ongoing conflict, leaving them desperate for help and hope.