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Written by Ralph Levy
The regime of Bashar al-Assad has killed thousands of his own people with increasingly violent crackdowns on the growing opposition. Where will it all lead?
The human suffering in the Arab world continues, as the conflict in Syria approaches full-scale civil war. The news isn’t good. Some would say that civil war, based on existing historical factions, has already started.
As I write, news sites are reporting United Nations estimates that at least 6,000 people have died in the uprising against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Many commentators believe the real number may be higher.
Another massacre?
The city of Homs, in western Syria, bore the brunt of recent fighting, with chilling reports of abuse, torture and killings of medical personnel and children. CNN.com reported an interview with a resident of the restive city who described the extent of the suffering in these words: “We are getting killed every moment. We are not able even just to get some basic medicine to injured people. Children are really hungry. I swear, children are hungry. No power, no fuel. It’s too cold” (Feb. 7, 2012).
The same article reported government troops targeting a field hospital, with doctors and patients losing their lives. Human rights groups reported security forces torturing and abusing children in their homes and schools.
Last Thursday, Feb. 2, marked the 30th anniversary of the infamous massacre that took place in Hama in 1982. Though it received little press at the time (Syria’s media are heavily controlled), Bashar’s late father, Hafez al-Assad, unleashed his forces on the city when Islamists revolted against the regime. Government troops killed thousands and leveled entire neighborhoods. The Hama massacre became infamous, although few dared speak of it in Syria.
Not till 2012, that is. Commemorations and protests took place this year, both inside and outside Syria. The Associated Press reported graffiti on the walls of Hama, communicating a defiant message: “Hafez died, and Hama didn’t. Bashar will die, and Hama won’t.”
Failed diplomacy, “appalling” vetoes
Meanwhile, much energy has been expended on the diplomatic front, but with little to show for it. On Monday, Feb. 6, the United States closed its embassy in Damascus, bringing Ambassador Robert Ford back to Washington where “he will continue working with Syria’s political opposition to ensure an eventual political transition” (The Wall Street Journal, Feb. 7, 2012). The United Kingdom, Spain, France and Italy recalled their ambassadors on Monday, followed shortly by six Gulf Cooperation Council states, which pulled their ambassadors a day later.
Yet the impact of diplomatic efforts was blunted by Russia’s and China’s vetoes of a UN Security Council resolution. Diplomatic wrangling in New York—expected to lead to a watered-down resolution censuring the violence and appealing for a peaceful transition, but not supporting outside intervention—was torpedoed on Saturday (Feb. 4) when these two permanent members of the Security Council used their veto power and refused to agree to the proposed resolution.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel called it “appalling,” while French President Nicolas Sarkozy denounced it as “a scandal.” Yet Russia appeared to come down solidly on the side of the Assad regime, standing by the Syrian leader and even dispatching to Damascus a delegation that included Russia’s foreign minister and intelligence chief.
What does the future hold?
So the suffering of many Syrian people continues, as does that of others in the Arab world. What does the future hold, one wonders? Bible prophecy gives us the answers, and it indicates that suffering won’t come to a complete end soon.
Just as in Egypt, it is the Islamist factions in Syria that are the best organized. They are likely to hold sway in any post-Assad government. Very possibly, the religious opposition will at some point join with political Islam in other Arab countries.
Centuries ago, the prophet Daniel foretold an alliance in the Middle East that would be headed by an end-time “king of the South.” This southern alliance will come into conflict with the “king of the North,” which history indicates to be based in Europe (Daniel 11:40-45). It appears both of these powerful alliances will be inspired or influenced by powerful religious forces.
The same prophecy of Daniel indicates that the northern power will prevail in that future war. Sadly, under human government, neither the people of Syria (and other Arab states) nor the people of the coming European alliance will find true peace and relief from these travails.
Yet the Scriptures also tell us that “he who kills with the sword must be killed with the sword” (Revelation 13:10). Once the “king of the North,” also referred to as “the beast” in the book of Revelation, overcomes the southern alliance, he himself will be overcome and vanquished by a much greater and more just power—the returning Messiah, Jesus Christ. Christ will destroy the power that destroyed the “king of the South” and put down humanity’s rebellion (Revelation 19:19-21).
After that, humanity will finally begin to witness true peace, so desired by many. The kingdoms of this world will then become the Kingdom of our God and of His Christ (Revelation 11:15; Isaiah 9:6-7), and the task of bringing real peace and justice will begin.
That’s something really to look forward to—for the people of Syria and of the whole world!
Ralph Levy is a minister of the Church of God, a Worldwide Association, who grew up in England and now lives in the United States. Dr. Levy enjoys reading, travel and foreign languages. He has a Ph.D. in biblical studies and has worked in foreign language and religious education for much of his life.
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