The aftermath of the earthquake that struck Syria and Turkey last Monday continues to leave the region in a state of sadness as the death toll continues to rise. In the midst of this tragedy, the behavior of the head of the Syrian regime, Bashar al-Assad, has sparked outrage among activists.
During his visit to the city of Aleppo, five days after the earthquake, pictures and video clips were circulated showing the head of the regime smiling and laughing. Many have accused the Syrian government of exploiting the disaster for political gain, with the lifting of Western sanctions being the primary objective.
ظهر مبتسماً.. رئيس النظام السوري #بشار_الأسد في زيارة ميدانية للمناطق المتضررة من الزلزال في #حلب#زلزال_سوريا_تركيا#زلزال_سوريا #زلزال_تركيا #العربية pic.twitter.com/RDYqFWO1h4
— العربية (@AlArabiya) February 11, 2023
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights estimates that 4,500 Syrians have died as a result of the earthquake, with many more missing and feared dead. Despite the presence of Arab rescue teams, the lack of resources, including diesel fuel, has hindered the rescue efforts, and many buildings remain untouched. The director of the Syrian Observatory has also expressed concern that the regime is not providing enough support to the rescue teams, leading to a slow response.
In the Jenderes area, the rescue teams have been unable to access dozens of buildings, and the director of the Syrian Observatory has stated that the fighter Abu Muhammad al-Julani had to intervene to help civilians.
The situation highlights the urgent need for effective and immediate humanitarian aid to reach the affected areas. The loss of life and suffering caused by the earthquake should not be politicized, and all efforts should be made to provide assistance to those in need. The international community must come together to provide support to the people of Syria and Turkey in their time of need.