Assad’s use of hunger shows he must go

Malnourished children show how starvation is used a weapon of war against the rebels

An emaciated man in Madaya reflects the widespread starvation in the rebel-held town blockaded by pro-Assad forces. (Syrian Observatory For Human Rights)

The shocking images of starving children in blockaded Syrian towns such as Madaya do more than simply underscore the need to find a permanent solution to the conflict. The desperation of civilians, who have had to resort to eating family pets and cooking grass to survive, is the result of a deliberate Al Assad regime policy to target the anti-government rebels who control the towns near Damascus.

Similar to the policy of dropping barrel bombs on rebel-held areas, using starvation as a weapon of war shows the regime’s utter disregard for the welfare of civilians caught in the middle of the conflict. It is proof – not that more evidence was needed – that president Bashar Al Assad cannot be part of any long term solution to Syria’s civil war. Any supposed leader who can do this to his own people is clearly part of the problem, not part of the solution.

After people around the world were shocked by photographs of emaciated children with their ribs protruding and corresponding stories of desperate hunger among the 40,000 civilians of Madaya, the United Nations has negotiated for food and other humanitarian supplies to be sent to the town. It will already be too late for some, who have died of starvation, and there are another 250 described as being severely malnourished and in need of evacuation for treatment.

Madaya, between Damascus and the Lebanese border, is not the only town affected by severe food shortages because of government blockades. The UN is also negotiating with the Assad regime and rebel forces to allow access for humanitarian convoys to the nearby towns of Kefraya and Foah.

While the UN intervention is essential and will alleviate real suffering in towns like Madaya, it is no more than a Band-Aid, with a comprehensive solution to the conflict clearly required.

Even if the conflict ended tomorrow, the malnourishment suffered by children in towns like Madaya is likely to affect their health for the rest of their lives. Like the generation of Syrian children who are missing out on an education, the impact of this conflict will be felt for decades after peace finally returns. That is Mr Al Assad’s legacy to his people, having reacted to a call for reforms with indiscriminate violence, and why he cannot be part of Syria’s future.