Success of the people’s uprising

The course of events in Syria has sparked fear among the Arab people, just like the situation in Yemen had done. Yet, the escalation in the past few days has led all Arabs into a dark tunnel. The present situation is similar to the tense atmosphere that engulfed the Arab world after the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait.

The 1991 Gulf War led to a deep rift in inter-Arab relations, which are yet to come back to normal, and the current Syrian crisis will cause another chasm among the Arabs.

The 1990 invasion of Kuwait was a major shock to most Arabs, especially to those who were directly affected by the invasion. It is more painful for an Arab person to be treated unjustly by other Arabs. The invasion of Kuwait by Iraqi troops was an example of tyranny and injustice, and the suffering of Kuwaitis was made worse by the fact that they were attacked by their Arab brethren.

Regarding the latest developments in Syria, the vote on Saturday at the UN Security Council seemed very painful to most Arabs, as they appeared divided into two groups in front of the entire world.

Regretfully, the foes are Arabs: whereas the first group defends the Syrian regime, the other one, which represents the majority of Arabs, is trying to find a way out of the crisis. This team is represented by Arab League Secretary General Nabeel Al Arabi.

This has come at a time when Arab people watch the daily events of bloody violence and systematic killing as well as of humiliation, and mutilation of dead bodies. Add to that the economic sanctions, which only affect ordinary Syrian citizens, without having any impact on the regime, its allies and thugs.

This shameful and distressing scene at the Security Council entailed a war of words, portraying the Arabs in very bad light. It was seen across the world. Both sides engaged in speeches without focusing on the key issue — the dignity of the Syrian citizen and value of his blood, money and honour.

Rights cannot be attained by mere presentations without facts and reliable figures in a world driven by interests, and the Security Council's members will not be affected by emotional and sentimental words and flowery language.

Seeing the majority of the Arabs siding with the US, France, Britain and other western countries, while the Syrian regime is backed by Russia, China and Iran is one of the historical anomalies.

If we go back to the 1950s and 1960s, we will see how far the values, principles and visions of these parties have changed when it comes to fundamental principles, such as the right of self-determination, freedom of expression and anti-colonialism.

Internationalisation of issue

Throughout the past 11 months of the bloody uprising in Syria, almost everyone stood against foreign interference in Syria, while all western countries, along with Russia, China and Iran, among others, are seeking to take control of Syria, its decision-making process and resources.

Even though Syria and all the Arabs fear internationalising the Syrian issue, it seems that this is the only realistic way of solving the Syrian crisis — given that the Russian warships and military supplies from Iran to the Syrian regime are no longer a secret.

The Syrian regime has its own calculations, and the West also has its calculations based on its own interests — and so does the Syrian opposition.

But, the Syrian people, who are sacrificing their most precious possessions — their lives — have other calculations.

And, it would not be possible at this critical point to ignore the collective consciousness of the popular revolution, and belittle the people's resistance at the hands of the outside opposition, which begs help from the West, especially the US.

The Syrian regime will not be able to benefit from Russian, Chinese and Iranian firepower. And the opposition will not benefit from the stance of the West. This is simply because western countries try to ride the wave of the revolution through such stances, keeping their own interests in mind.

The Syrian revolutionaries are strong and smart enough to prevent western or eastern intelligence agencies from sabotaging or hijacking the revolution. This revolution will be successful if they side with the Free Syrian Army, and if there is an increase in the number of military and civilian defectors, who will shape Syria's future. 

Dr Khalifa Rashid Al Sha'ali is an Emirati writer who specialises in legal affairs.