Twelve years of relentless conflict have carved deep scars into the heart of Syria, inflicting unimaginable suffering upon its people. The question, “Syria Why War?”, resonates globally as the nation grapples with the aftermath of prolonged devastation. This article delves into the ongoing crisis, examining the profound humanitarian consequences of the Syrian war.
The relentless violence has forced more than half of Syria’s pre-war population of 22 million to abandon their homes in search of safety. Approximately 6.8 million Syrians are internally displaced within their own country, with over two million living in precarious tented camps. These camps often lack fundamental necessities, leaving vulnerable populations with limited access to essential services and struggling daily for survival.
Beyond the borders of Syria, an estimated 6 million Syrians have sought refuge or asylum in other countries. Neighboring nations like Lebanon, Jordan, and Turkey have become havens for 5.3 million Syrian refugees, bearing immense strain as they strive to accommodate one of the largest refugee exoduses in recent history. The influx of refugees has placed immense pressure on these host countries’ resources and infrastructure, creating further regional challenges.
The humanitarian crisis within Syria continues to escalate. At the beginning of 2023, the United Nations reported that a staggering 15.3 million people inside Syria were in dire need of humanitarian assistance. This represents the highest number since the war’s inception, underscoring the deepening crisis. Alarmingly, 12 million Syrians face food insecurity, unsure of where their next meal will come from, highlighting the widespread hunger and desperation within the nation.
The already precarious humanitarian situation in north-western Syria, the last stronghold of opposition forces, was catastrophically compounded by the devastating earthquake that struck near Gaziantep, Turkey, in February 2023. The earthquake, occurring approximately 80km (50 miles) from the Syrian border, unleashed further destruction upon a region already weakened by years of conflict.
The earthquake claimed over 5,900 lives across Syria and impacted a further 8.8 million people, according to UN estimates. The disaster demolished thousands of homes and vital infrastructure, leaving countless families without shelter, food, and clean water. Adding to the tragedy, the delivery of crucial aid to opposition-held areas was critically delayed due to what a UN panel condemned as “shocking” failures by both warring parties and the international community, exacerbating the suffering of those most in need.
This natural disaster struck when Syria was already reeling from soaring food and fuel prices, driven by runaway inflation, the collapse of the Syrian currency, and the global economic fallout from the war in Ukraine. These compounding crises have pushed basic necessities beyond the reach of many Syrians, deepening poverty and vulnerability.
Syria has also been severely impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, although the true extent remains unknown due to limited testing capabilities. Adding to the health crisis, the nation is currently battling a deadly cholera outbreak, worsened by the earthquake’s destruction of water and sanitation infrastructure.
Access to essential medical care is critically limited. Only half of Syria’s hospitals are fully operational, leaving the sick and injured with severely restricted access to treatment. Physicians for Human Rights documented 601 attacks on at least 400 separate medical facilities as of February 2022, resulting in the deaths of 942 medical personnel, despite the protected status of medical facilities under international law. The vast majority of these attacks are attributed to government and Russian forces, further crippling the healthcare system.
Entire neighborhoods and critical infrastructure across Syria lie in ruins. UN satellite analysis indicated that over 35,000 structures in Aleppo city alone were damaged or destroyed before the government retook control in late 2016. The widespread destruction hinders recovery efforts and perpetuates displacement.
Syria’s rich cultural heritage has also suffered immense losses. All six of the country’s UNESCO World Heritage sites have sustained significant damage. In a deliberate act of cultural vandalism, IS militants destroyed parts of the ancient city of Palmyra, erasing irreplaceable historical treasures.
A UN commission of inquiry has concluded that the warring parties in Syria have “cumulatively committed almost every crime against humanity… and nearly every war crime applicable in a non-international armed conflict.” The report highlights the horrific reality faced by Syrians, stating they have “suffered vast aerial bombardments of densely populated areas; they have endured chemical weapons attacks and modern day sieges in which perpetrators deliberately starved the population along medieval scripts and indefensible and shameful restrictions on humanitarian aid.”
The question “Syria why war” leads to a complex web of political, social, and economic factors. However, the devastating consequences are undeniable. Syria stands as a stark reminder of the human cost of prolonged conflict, requiring sustained international attention and humanitarian support to address the immense needs of its population and work towards a path of lasting peace and recovery.
