The Eagle
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The Root cause of Afghan & Syrian Conflicts (The Sect)
By: The Eagle
While going through the history and knowing the some of common facts of wars in Afghanistan and then in Syria respectively, few things came across my mind that the picture is intend to be the same though place and names are changed and number of parties. Rather to waste the time, I decided to ink down my observations that may help readers and members to see the facts by another aspect as well.
As usual, I use to say and indeed it is meant to express that here no such conspiracy theory or derailing of facts is intended though the words written here are merely my observations and findings that I observe by going through the subjects. It is also submitted here that I wouldn’t criticize a single person or party by going in deep of the occasions but I will try to draw a simple picture that how these incidents are co-related or can be viewed as more than coincidence. The history is all over there and is in the access of readers though I will start where from the things turned into clash soon became a war that were needed to tackle properly.
The intervention of US & West into Afghanistan and Syria has been discussed so many times on different threads here so I thought to see & describe the other side of picture as well though no offense or propaganda to defame any country or nation is intended but the expression of observations and findings only for the interest of readers.
By the following lines, firstly I will draw your attention to the common subject of both unrests and wars in Afghanistan & Syria one by one alongwith their relations with Russia so it can be easy to understand then later I will discuss the conclusion. It is also requested that the words mentioned below may not be viewed as exact picture of events though may have missed some points but over all it was intended to highlight the one of the common and major issue which was ignored but later realized to be the cause of destruction. It is merely tried to discuss that how one miss opportunity turned into regrets and resulted in unbearable losses.
The list of characters is indeed the long one but not to linger on the issue or keeping in view the interest of readers, an overall observation is described here though history is all there.
(USSR/Russia, the Common Subject in Afghanistan and Syria after Internal Conflict)
The USSR-Afghan Relations
We all know that Afghan-Soviet relations were not new and it is interesting for the new readers that indeed Soviet-Afghan relations were friendly and supporting since 1919 with economic assistance and aid for Afghanistan even during USSR revolution. Since 1947, Afghanistan has been receiving a huge economic assistance, aid and military equipment alongwith training and support as well hence Afghanistan become under influence of USSR. This was the same era that US become friendlier with Pakistan due to her understanding of USSR intention in the region or USSR as growing power and interest to reach hot waters. Though in those times, Pakistan tried to establish maintained relations with USSR and US both but all in vain and Pakistan fully turned to US which indeed exaggerated USSR-Pakistan relations. Afghanistan become more concern to USA and even tried to maintain a relation as well so also strived to gain influence through Pakistan but couldn’t encounter the USSR-Afghan strong relations.
Soviet military cooperation for Afghanistan became on regular basis and 1970's agreements were made with USSR which sent officials in respect of advisory services and specialists to Afghanistan. In 1978, democratic Republic of Afghanistan was formed after Saur Revolution. This is 1978 Afghan Army overthrew and executed the former PM Daud who seized power in a military coup in 1973, and Taraki become president of Revolutionary council and PM of newly established Democratic Republic of Afghanistan. During the 18 months of his rule, the same party tried to apply the same program influenced and adopted on soviet style of modernizing reforms which were viewed as opposing to Islam by many conservatives. I wouldn’t go in deep that all the details about these reforms are available in history though the same become the reason of unrest in newly established Afghanistan.
The Syrian Russia Relations
The Russia-Syria relations are not new for us as it has a long history. The relations were bilateral and diplomatic relations were formed in 1944 which turned into strong relations in 1971 by which the then USSR and now Russia was allowed to have a Naval base in Syria. Among other agreements, the support of military assistance was also emphasized. Russia is a major armed supplier to the Syria and so also turned to be Russian presence in Syria. As we all know that a cold war existed among US & Russia, therefore, the presence of Russia in Syria became a subject to US & allies. During the cold war and unrest in those times due to conflict war in ME, Syria became more interested in strong ties with USSR the later Russia. The Baghdad Pact which was fully inspired by the West, formed Russia-Syria relations closer. The USSR response to the Suez Crises increased USSR status in ME and accelerated the USSR aid to Syria including economic and military support. Hafiz al-Asad from Baath party was also favored by USSR and signed many agreements with the then Soviet government during his tenure. The later Bashar Al-Asad came to power, also hold strong relations in view of past with Russia.
The Afghan Conflict & Mujahideen/ Taliban
Here I will discuss that how the instability in Afghanistan accrued and the country was pushed into war that could have been avoided while understanding the situation and grievances which were based upon ethnic/sectarian issues.
The reforms in Afghanistan under influence of USSR, invited the rebellion against the then government which amid at uprooting feudalism in Afghan society, responded with violence and unrest. Thousands of prisoners including Islamic Scholars (Mullahs) and leaders from villages were executed though few members of religious offices fled the country. The revolt began and rapidly spread among ethnic groups which sooner become sectarian as well. The Deputy Prime Minister seized the power and arrested and executed Taraki the then Leader. The USSR was not in favor of direct intervention into Afghanistan in start as it was clear to see that the Pro-Communism Afghan Government was executing almost each & every opponent of ex-ruling party which resultantly was the reason of unrest and rebellion.
The rebellion of those times was fully propagated by the major parties of US and allies. On one hand USSR was supporting the pro-communist government while on other hand US and allies were involved to support the opponents to gain influence and encounter the USSR rise by proving it to be ethnic come sectarian. US & west were fully supporting the Mujahideen in those times and Iran was also the part of same Jihad yet after take over of Taliban Iran started to support pro-Iran Shia and northern alliance. The issue became more relevant due to the involvement of Saudi (KSA) support to the Sunnis and Iran support to the Shia Mujahideen. It is to be observed that Afghan become interest of major parties of world powers and every single of them by strengthen the beloved proxies only to gain influence. Initially it was the interest of US since the day first through Pakistan with the help of Saudi and others to counter the influence of USSR into Afghanistan. The US & West support their proxy in the name of Jihad with the help of Saudi and others through Pakistan which same resulted the unrest in the Afghanistan. The rebellion based upon ethnic revolt flamed the country and caused the maximum damage.
Throughout the different governments in Afghanistan, it is pertinent to mention that US has never shown her concern into Afghanistan to stabilize her though Afghan remain in influence of USSR due to likes of communism. The war in Afghanistan became a subject for US and allies only because of USSR invasion into Afghan which was after all an invitation by pro communist Afghan governments to encounter ethnic/sectarian revolts. USSR presence in Afghanistan was not new as time to time many officials were present on Afghan Soil. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that the Afghan war was result of ethnic sooner sectarian issues due to pro communism government stance against Islamists. As I can observe that if Afghanistan government shouldn’t have intervened into such issues and would have tried to take all parties on board and everyone into confidence so the reforms could have done in proper and comfortable manners. Rather to establish their reforms by force, the way of talks and balanced democracy could have brought the better results for Afghanistan. However, the war ended and Afghanistan was under influence of Taliban, the same Mujahideen previously fought against USSR.
USSR intervened into Afghanistan in the name of savior for the communism and pro-USSR government. The world largely opposed the war of USSR and so also UN passed a resolution in higher votes against the same action. The USSR intervention into Afghanistan was called as Horror in west. During the same times Ministers from 34 Islamic Countries passed a resolution and demanded the urgent and unconditional withdrawal of USSR troops from Afghanistan. It is pertinent to mention here that at that time US fully backed Jihad in Afghanistan only to encounter USSR invasion and most of the Islamic World countries participated and supported Mujahideen in Afghanistan. The most of countries posses the weapons helped Mujahideen to fight back USSR with supplied weapons through different routes. The major player in this conflict was US as a long history of her cold war with USSR to destabilize the influence in this region. The same war on one side forced the USSR back to her jurisdiction but resulted in never ending unrest in the region.
The Taliban were formed as to oppose and counter USSR during Afghan war, in the name of Jihad based upon ethnic revolt. It is also necessary here to mention that, after the Afghan war many of Mujahideens who just fought the war in the name of Jihad left Afghan with peace and never went into fight or later clashes among local groups.
The USSR war in Afghanistan ended but still the country is at unrest though thousands of thousands lives were lost and still continue. The same country is still losing many lives and is at mercy on one hand, of terrorists yet on other hand the same US which once praised them, lastly attacked them. The ethnic issue resulted in a war in Afghanistan which sooner became the Sectarian while formed the government under the control of Taliban and called as terrorism as well.
The Syrian Conflict & Taliban/ISIS
Here I will discuss the root cause of conflict in Syria, the sectarian issue and how issues got flamed which ultimately became a full scale civil war and put the country at unrest.
This is 2011 and conflict erupted in Syria under governance of President Bashar. The Bashar promises of reforms did not go well yet resulted in a conflict. The Syria consists of maximum population of Sunnis, if not wrong here, Sunnis represents majority of the Syria. It is also to remember that the Syrian conflict started based upon Sectarian issue as well among other conflicts but the rest of the conflicts are almost less to the subject. The reforms of Syrian government failed to execute yet strongly opposed by opponents the major part of Sunnis but still Bashar Government tried to impose the reforms by force. The force applied by the then Syrian government resulted in revolt and unrest among majority of Sunnis. This was the same time when US and West with the help of Saudi took advantage and entered into internal politics of Syria. US and allies started to support the opposition of Bashar due to injustice by Syrian government. It is also being observed here that the same style of executions of prisoners in Syria alike Afghan was started against mostly the Sunnis opponents. The conflict erupted as ethnic in start but strongly become Sectarian. The rebel groups started to rise and clashed begun between government and opposition. Firstly, there were protests against government that Bashar tried to handle by forced yet become violence. Sooner the internal conflict became a full scale war between government and opposition. In the same time due to diplomatic grudge, Iran fully stepped into Syria and started to support Syrian government and pro-Iran Mujahideen. It is interesting here to mention that Iran from the day first was supporting Bashar being Shia government which the sign of Sect conflict in Syria is indeed. The Syrian government rather to handle those things by way of democracy, blind folded due to her ego and power yet become a civil war. The violent crackdown of Syrian government result the mass protest turned into armed rebellion. Initially Russia, Iran and somehow Iraq fully supported the Syrian government for crack down against Sunni rebellion. The same conflict become a proxy war between the regional powers same as like Afghan happenings. The Syria became a point of interest for US & Allies only because of their greed of influence in region beside the resources and to encounter USSR same like the fruits of Cold War. This influence was more of interest for Oil from region. Indeed this alone resource was most interest and attraction for all major powers. US & Allies started to arm anti-Asad movement but interestingly here again the Mujahideen were called good people just because it serves the US & allies purpose. Once again Mujahideen were backed and still, by US to encounter Bashar and USSR as well. The internal conflict turned into full scale war and country is still bombed by different players.
While looking at the situation it is transpired that Syrian conflict became reality once Bashar tried to silence the opposition with use of power. The sectarian issue was fully backed with a proper conspiracy by US & Allies in grudge of USSR and Iran. Iran has been supporting the Syrian government due to her love for Sectarian values of Shia. On one side Saudi was supporting the Syrian rebels based upon Sunni affiliation while on other side Iran has backed the Syrian government based upon Shia affiliation. US & allies once again took the side of Sunnis to encounter Russia and her allies Syria and Iran. The unsuccessful reforms of Bashar invited once again Russia into picture to counter an opposition. Once again Russia became subject of the war into Syria. While almost in the same fashion like Afghanistan, US & Allies fully backed & supported the anti-Asad movements in Syria and put the country once again on unrest so the government sought help of her friend, the Russia. US & allies has played their best game in ME by sacrificing the Syrian independence yet the own Syria government did not understand and fell into trap. The political conflict based upon sectarian values turned into a major clash which sooner became civil war.
While talking about Syrian Jihad, it is also to mention here that during the same time ISIS was formed in Iraq while US & Allies were not able to control the situation. It wouldn’t be wrong here to say that the ISIS is a fully backed proxy of US & West so also most favored by Israel. ISIS started gaining the pace firstly by attacks in Iraq. ISIS played logically with minds of Sunnis to have support and trust in start so the most fooled Sunnis joined ISIS to fight against Shia yet turned ISIS into a beast but again based upon sectarian values. In the same time, Al-Baghdadi viewed Iraq & Syria as one state under his supervision which was fully opposed by his Syrian counterpart. Sooner, the same conflict became as clash between ISIS Iraq and ISIS Syria. The counterpart of ISIS in Syria fully opposed the idea of Al-Baghdadi for combined and single state comprises of Iraq & Syria. On other part initially, Mujahideen were fully supported by US & allies who turned into their concern to eliminate. It wouldn’t be wrong here to say that ISIS is so far one of the biggest proxies created in this era. After the purpose served by Taliban firstly in Afghanistan, US & Allies wanted to eliminate this threat and came with idea of ISIS to encounter the proxy with another proxy. ISIS gained enough power with the support of US & West including the Muslims countries as well but the support of Muslim countries do not carry worth in my opinion. The previous Jihad was carried out by Mujahideen comprises of different nations backed by most of the Sunnis therefore, need of ISIS was only necessary for US & West to counter the Taliban threat that was not possible by way of conventional war through uniformed forces and as well as to avoid the crimes of war. ISIS became a prominent subject raised from Iraq towards Syria in most cases while also started their activities in different countries that we know was only meant to utilize the anti-US & West threats as well defame the Islam.
It is also observed that the war of Syria is not very simple due to involvement of different parties. US & West are fully supporting their proxies to gain influence in the region as well as knock down the Islamic rise alongwith the countering of Russia & Allies. While Saudi has been showing their concerns due to Iran influence and involvement in Syria, by way of supporting Sunnis groups and on other hand Syrian Government alongwith Iran have been supporting pro Shia groups to remain present in the picture as well as show their influence with the help of Iran Russia.
The USSR Actions
The Russian intervention in Syria has been discussed as why the Russia acted while helping her ally in Syria. The same fashion of act was applied as firstly Russia was called for help being an old friend. Russia entered into Syria upon the call of Government for help and started the campaign supporting Russian influence. It is necessary to mention here that the US & allies presence in ME as well attracted the Russia to intervene. Depending upon same terminology of cold war both the major rivals US-Russia once again stepped into Syria to counter each other but on external soil. Firstly Russia maintained and announced a no-fly zone for anyone else. Russia started the campaign with heavy bombing despite of anti-Asad targets or Civilians. Most of the areas were bombed so the civilian will flee then Russia can hunt down every anti-Asad Element which ultimately causes the maximum casualties. Russia being friend to Syria/Asad is targeting each and every anti Asad element whether these are Mujahideen supported by Sunni Countries or ISIS backed by US & West. In Afghanistan theater the number of parties was minimum as due to limited source of interest which was to counter USSR influence alone however in Syria, the Oil resources in ME has become the more interest beside of cold war rivals. The way Russia approached the Syrian theater was initially fully supported as her intention was to eliminate the terrorism but by the time it has been revealed the Russia is only promise to save Asad’s Government. Though it is yet concluded that Russia has not gone by full offense including ground attacks but the style of executing the plan, is very similar with Afghanistan like firstly bomb the maximum areas to plain and then go by the ground but the next phase of ground attack cannot the assumed as air attacks are still in progress but by the history it looks like to be similar in future like Afghanistan. So far it is also being observed that maximum casualties are yet reported during the air strikes of Russia as same as previously done in Afghanistan. Russian action in both countries is only limited to her influence and as well to save her friendly governments.
The Findings about Root Cause (The Sectarians)
The Afghan fight is not that simple to understand like US attacked the country and liberated but it has to be seen through the eyes of history and as well as their cultural and religious values. The afghan rebellion was started only due to the ethnic and sectarian issues yet US is still unable to understand but trying to apply their laws or way of dealing of things which wouldn’t be absorbed in this region. However, these are the current moments that I have discussed here but if we look at the issues so it will be easy to understand that Afghan civil ethnic/sectarian conflict turned into full scale war and same USSR was once invited by the then government of Afghanistan to save their so called democracy which was based upon communism and ethnic values yet resulted in revolt and civilian war. On one hand Sunnis were fully supported through Pakistan while on back it was US, KSA etc and on other hand Iran has been supporting and providing similar help to the Shia Islamists groups. It is also pertinent to mention here that after the war against USSR, the same sectarian issues become the most headache and unrest to the people which resulted in lost of many lives. In my observation, the same Ethnic & Sectarian issue was the reason of unrest in Afghanistan while invited USSR due to influence and power to deal with such rebellion.
After the Afghan war, groups were mostly divided to rule the Government due to ethnic and sectarian issues as well. In the same time Iran has her own influence on different groups though Sunnis were being favored by most Sunni’s countries alongwith US & West. It is to observe that during the same war Iran has been supporting to her favored groups, though it was against USSR but later became sectarian issue to form a proper government. After USSR withdrawal, as Saudi (KSA) was involved in Afghanistan and supported Sunnis yet become the subject to the Iran as well to support Shia community. It is also pertinent to mention here that Northern Alliance was fully supported by Iran as well after the fall of USSR backed government of Najibullah.
After the 9/11, the same once US beloved Afghan Taliban government was attacked by US & allies only in the name of fight against terrorism. The war was once again fought by Pakistan as well against the same Mujahideen, once were supported through us to fight against USSR. It is also pertinent to mention here that the TTP is famously formed to participate into anti-state activities against only Pakistan.
Taliban divided into several groups though few claimed to fight against only US and never declare their intention to attack Pakistan while on other hand TTP itself become active inside Pakistan and started a war which was mostly supported by northern alliance as well backed by Iran as well. The US attack turned many of groups against Pakistan which fully executed their plans to attack Pakistan. Whether it is Taliban or TTP, it is clear to mention that nobody was suppose to bring peace to the region. The slogan of good Taliban and Bad Taliban once become prominent when high-ups of TTP invited the then Afghan Taliban for help fight against Pakistan and in return it was observed at some points that the then Afghan Taliban Leadership wrote to the TTP to stop attacks against Pakistan being Islamic country but to join them in Afghanistan to fight against US in the name of Jihad. The same intention of Afghan Taliban was also expressed by them leadership through various media and the war of TTP was not called to be Jihad as Pakistan is Islamic Country. After the fall of USSR the same sectarian issue was raised by different groups and somehow was pushed towards Pakistan as well.
On other hand in Syria, it was also started with a Sectarian flame which turned into a fire out of control. The conflict of Syria which turned into a war can be avoided in start where exactly the Syrian government could have handled the things in diplomatic manners by inviting all parties to the talks or by way of forming the government of majority. The sectarian issue was fully availed by US & West in grudge of USSR from the times of Cold War. It wouldn’t be wrong here to say that the chance to intervene the governments was given by whole solely the Governments of Syria and Afghanistan in their respective countries. If these governments had the potential to handle and were capable enough to run the government, we wouldn’t have seen this day or precious lives could have been saved. These parties only to serve their own purpose and to feed their evil agenda, created a cancer which is still uncured. While we talk about doing of these parties, it should also be realized that Syria & Afghanistan are also responsible for these conflicts as well by not understanding the gravity of situation on time. Rather to support violence, Asad may have left the power for the sake of country and democracy as well but failed due to greed to remain in power and for influence. Similarly, the situation accrued previously in Afghanistan due to ego of the then leadership to remain in power and as well as the grudge to eliminate the opposition. The belief of Afghanistan and Syrian governments that things can be handled in such fashion of violence was totally a mistake in my opinion which ultimately results the destruction to the country and a war which is still not ended.
Afghan government was also mistaken once started to eliminate the opposition by force and applied brutality which resultantly invited the revolt. It is clearly visible to us that both the Afghan and Syrian conflicts were due to the spark of ethnic and sectarian fire.
In my humble opinion, it is clearly visible that the both conflicts in Afghanistan & Syria were based upon ethnic and sectarian issues. The issue of ethnic and sect was indeed not in favor of countries but served the cold war rivals most. Both the countries are almost bombed to plain and even still war is continue but we can clearly see that how a minor conflict in the start became a war and ruined the country as well as caused the lost of many lives. I must say here that, keeping the same in view hopefully, we will learn a lot of these occasions and so also wouldn’t fall in such kind of trap though it is prayed that more countries or mankind may not suffer due to this plague. The cancer of sectarian conflicts was injected by much planned idea only to bring unrest to this region which mostly affected the Muslims countries. The Afghan and Syria governments have shown the lack of administration and also proven for greed of power and influence. Both the countries are pushed way back against the current times yet used as playground for worldly major powers. I hope that everyone may understand the formula of these proxies as firstly were created to encounter the rival then were used to bomb the countries yet resulted never ending unrest. Once Taliban was praised to fight against USSR then was divided in groups and used as proxy to keep unrest then the host was attacked as Talibs were declared terrorists for attacking the US soil but no one bother to ask what about the terrorism of major powers who claimed thousands of thousands innocent lives.
Similarly, the Syria theater become active and started to show performances. Sectarian issue was supported through the same, almost same foundational proxies yet the countries are on the brink of self destruction and in the same time cold war rivals jumped into playground and started the dance of the devil which ruined the face of great culture and peace by claiming the uncountable lives and still continue. The necessity of proxies is much attracted by these both countries hence brought war and destruction due to their own doing as well. People were deprived of their rights and due to non-redress of grievances, such intolerance occurred. In the same theaters, similarly to Afghan & Syria, Jihadees were favored to achieve the goals of west yet proxies were injected to play their evil games and propagate agenda. Before the time is gone and the same may claim another country, the land of peaceful people, it is our duty to understand the values and realize the situation. Muslims are needed to learn and practice the education of true Islam. Islam, which never tolerated any extremism or butchery and taught the norms to live in peace, give rights to every sect, language, caste or color. The leadership including of Muslim world are needed to revive their policies and also should realize that favoring the proxies in such manners are beneficial at all neither to the people nor to the country itself. These countries are needed to stop being played by those proxy lovers who are only meant for their own benefits and one of them is destruction of Muslim world. It is clearly visible that worldly powers never intend to benefits the nations of Muslim world otherwise would have played a major role for mediation or to calm the situation. The US/West and Russia are still fighting the same cold war that we have history to read about and the same war was never over yet the shape and places kept changing but with the same cause. It is also revealed and easy to understand that indeed the Sectarian issue is one the problems which effects are far damaging if not handled on time with proper management yet we can see the results. Adding to above, as we can see that after Afghan war against USSR, Taliban came into being as ruling party then sooner as per game plan the same were called Sectarians and divided into many groups. Further to that, northern alliance which comprises of Mehsud and Shia fighters was openly supported by Iran and our neighbor which has no direct or wide connection in Afghanistan. India couldn’t have any reach until & unless US & West never wanted the same. India was only allowed to enter into Afghan theater to corner Pakistan including China, the upcoming rival for US indeed and in the same time Sectarian propaganda was tried to be flamed in Pakistan as well which is backed by anti-Pakistan elements. However, by the blessing of ALLAH, the enemy couldn’t succeed in it so far but still causes the damage and claimed many lives.
It is our duty to not to divide in sects or groups but need to hold the rope of ALLAH with strength and so also to take necessary measures to stop the support to any sect group. We need to strive against these takfirees and Khawarij by unity and faith among us. May ALLAH keep all of us safe and help us fight the cancer of sect and give us strength to realize and stand affirms against conspiracies.
Pakistan Zindabad
@Slav Defence
