Text of my commentary published by Iranian newspaper Khorasan
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Today, the world is totally chaotic; however, current crises share same features influenced by similar or mutual factors. Investigating the similarities and differences of the crises in Syria and Mali is not only remarkable but also sheds light on vague aspects of these two crises. On January 11th, France announced that at Malian government’s request it would launch war against armed groups occupying northern part of Mali. The UK Prime Minister, David Cameron, warned that the fight could go on for “decades.”
Opposition groups
The UK, the US and the European Union provide military and intelligence support to the French in their battles against armed groups in northern Mali. They fight against four major military groups which claim to attempt to establish an Islamic government, including: 1. Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb; 2. The Movement for Unity and Jihad in West Africa; 3. Ansar al-Din; and 4. The National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad.The first three groups follow the Salafi School of thoughts and in practice they are so-called Jihadi. These groups have occupied northern parts of Mali since almost seven months ago. These groups, except for Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, had negotiations with Mali’s central government and even neighboring countries including Algeria. These negotiations were realized through attempts of some countries including the US, the Economic Community of West African States and the United Nations. In a nutshell, the military groups involved in the Mali’s crisis: A) follow the Al-Qaeda School of thoughts; B) have occupied a region for over six months; and C) know how to negotiate and had negotiations with Mali’s central government.In Syria, the military groups fighting against the army follow Salafi School of thoughts and espouse violent so-called jihad. So far, Syrian opposition groups failed to negotiate with any countries including Syrian government. Syrian opposition groups, except for the Free Syrian Army -which is just a “name” and has nothing to do with its real identity- not only have failed to negotiate but also have refused to join the coalition called “National Revolution”, whose president is Ahmad Mouaz Al-Khatib, believing the coalition is supported by the West. Among these are Al-Nasra, Al-Tawhid Brigade and Ahrar al-Sham. Moreover, during nine months of fighting against Syrian Army, the opposition groups could not occupy a single whole city and are still continuing their terrorist bombings and attacks. Therefore, they: A) follow Al-Qaeda School of thoughts; B) could not occupy a region; and C) refuse any negotiations and do not trust the West. Thus Syrian armed groups are neither supported and authorized by people, nor are they followers of western countries which expect their interests to be served in the future of Syria.
Current governments
Last year, the current Malian government was established through a military coup by Capt. Amadou Sanogo who was trained for military operations by the US Ministry of Defense. During the last year, the US, the United Nations and other international organizations put their efforts on persuading Malian government to agree to hold an election. Malian government and some of the opposition groups had planned an election in January 2013, which was never held. During the Syrian crisis, there have been two elections held: the first one was the constitution referendum in February 2012, and the second one was parliamentary election in May 2012. In 2009, 2 years before the Syrian crisis, “Bashar Al-Assad” was voted for as the most popular Arab Leader in five Arab countries, according to a major survey of public opinion in eleven Arab countries. Assad is the only Arab president who appears with his wife among ordinary people. Before the Syrian political and military crisis, this country was an active member of the Global Community. Most of the powers in the region who are now competing to overthrow Assad used to claim friendship with Syrian government and people. Nevertheless Assad’s government and the political structure of Syria are not free of mistakes. Non-democratic and security problems in the structure and performance of the government are clearly noticeable.
Human rights and the western claim to support it
Human rights is one of the main issues that is referred to over and over in the standpoints of countries opposing Syrian government in the biased or even objective reports of international organizations and in media attacks against Syria. This is comparable with human rights conditions in Mali even after the French military operations, especially the influences of these operations on human rights. According to the reports by the US Congressional Research Center, after France’s military operations, human rights condition in Mali is totally vague and France does not care about acting in accordance with the principles of human rights. In its report on the crisis in Libya, the US Congressional Research Center also says, “The consequences of France military operations upon human rights conditions and aid groups are vague.” Without ignoring or undermining the mistakes of Syrian government in preserving national security, it is clear that France military operations in Mali do not aim at protecting human rights or people.
From reasons to motivations
What came above was a quick review on some of the similarities of the current crises in Syria and Mali and how western countries confront them differently. If we suppose that western countries interventions in Mali and their support for the government are with good intentions, then with the same reasons they should have supported Syrian government. It is clear that western countries, in their foreign policy formation, follow principles other than what they claim; principles which are not more than the law of jungle and sacrificing other countries in the interest of their owns. Today’s Zaman, a Turkish newspaper, has recently reported that France ground and air strikes in Mali are aimed at “Mali’s oil and gold.”
