The Economist: Refugees as Pawn in the Struggle for Syria

Syria’s Assad regime seemed destined for collapse at the start of the rebellion that began seven years ago. However, the Syrian leader is on the verge of victory over the rebels that attempted to institute a change in governance. The Economist notes: “the only rebels left are boxed into a corner of Syria’s north-west, in Idlib province. Regime forces are mustering at its edge, having recently seized rebel-held areas near the border with Jordan and Israel, in the south.” Idlib’s seizure would effectively seal the rebels’ fate. Moreover, 2.6 million civilians remain trapped by the fighting in Idlib, with more than half already having fled fighting elsewhere in the country. According to the United Nations, an offensive on Idlib would displace another 2 million persons. Russia, which backs the Assad regime, wants aid refugees’ return to Syria and signal an end of sorts to the war. Law 10 forces people to prove ownership of their property quickly or risk confiscation, but refugees are nervous about returning. Bashar al-Assad purportedly welcomes the return of refugees, yet “seems in no rush” to take many back – namely Sunnis who were previously a large majority in Syria and the “backbone” of the uprising. – YaleGlobal