If there is one Arab community that unanimously condemned the protests against American diplomatic installations in the Middle East, it is the Syrians. For months they have begged Washington and its allies to intervene in their eighteen month revolution. They argued a former adversary would offer eternal gratitude by breaking relations with American foes Iran and its Lebanese client Hezbollah. But following the death of American Ambassador Chris Stevens in Libya, a country that benefited from WashingtonÂ’s military intervention, many Syrians believe the Western world will abandon them.
“This attack is the worst thing that could happen to us,” Ahmad Ali says sifting through boxes of baby milk powder. The humanitarian aid worker fled his home in the city of Idlib last March as Syrian President Bashar Assad’s forces incessantly shelled the city. Today, he works to make sure those that stayed behind have the basic supplies they need. “Western diplomats tell us to be patient,” he tells The Media Line. “They say they are working on coordinating a military response. But why will they want to help us if we burn them like in Libya?” |