Syrians Are Not Celebrating Ceasefire

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By Jessica Moore

The recent truce between Syrian rebels and the Syrian government has lead to an overwhelming decrease in airstrikes on rebel territory. In most circumstances, this would be cause for celebration, but the residents of Aleppo are not entirely convinced that the fight is over.  

Many feel that this a trick by the regime and that they are simply waiting for the rebels to let their guard down so that they can make an unexpected strike. Especially considering only 30 hours after the ceasefire was called, residents of a home in Darat Izza claim to have been victims of an airstrike attack. Besides that, attacks seem to have ceased.  

Others are simply against the ceasefire. They feel that the battle these people are fighting has claimed the lives of too many martyrs to end now. They want their sacrifices to mean something. Rebels are urged to continue fighting, and many people throughout Aleppo are protesting against the truce.  

Only months earlier, a large amount of Russian airstrikes attempted to aid the regime in their efforts. One targeted a local market that killed at least eight people just days before the cease fire was put into effect. Russia’s state run media reported six attacks on Damascus in Syria after the truce took effect.

The Syrian-Observatory for Human Rights  believes that strikes are targeted toward the south side of the country and the capital of ISIS. Attacks have lead to 183 fatalities, 89 of those including ISIS fighters since Saturday.

Hostilities seem to be most prominent between the Syrian rebels and the regime of President Bashar al-Assad, as well ISIS. Russia’s involvement is often most blamed for the continuation of the airstrikes.

These attacks have devastated Aleppo and other towns in Syria that have been targeted by warplanes. Thousands of residents  have been rendered homeless and are now facing starvation. Sophomore Leah Kirk says “It’s sad to think of all those people suffering. I don’t think they deserve to go through that. I don’t think anyone does.”