By Ayhan Simsek
BERLIN
A disinformation campaign run by the Assad regime has led to confusion in Western countries and prevented a strong reaction from the international community to developments in Syria, according to Middle East expert Petra Becker.
The German Institute for International and Security Affairs’ (SWP) Middle East expert Petra Becker said in an exclusive interview with Anadolu Agency that the failure of the western world to respond to Syria had turned the Islamic State in Iraq (ISIL) and the Levant into a major threat.
“The disinformation policy of the Syrian regime has led to a circulation of conflicting images on Syria,” Becker said.
Bashar al-Assad's regime had tried to discredit opposition groups by distributing false stories effectively through internet channels, she added.
Becker said: "It has become very difficult to understand the complex situation, not only for ordinary citizens, but also for decision makers in Western countries.
"They had the feeling that they face a big risk in taking steps based on false information."
"When one has such a feeling and has to decide on serious matters like military intervention, the decision is usually being against, rather than for, for such a military operation,” she added.
For many observers, the reluctance of Western world since 2011 to respond to the civil war in Syria has produced more chaos and violence in the country while strengthening extremist armed groups.
US and Western countries moved towards taking serious political and military decisions on Syria only after ISIL militants crossed the Iraqi border and targeted Ezidis in early August.
Hundreds of Ezidis have been killed and as many as 200,000 have fled the region to escape ISIL attacks.
Violence instigated by the militants claimed more than 1,400 lives in August alone and caused 1.2 million Iraqis, including Turkmen, Arabs, Christians and Ezidis, to flee their homes.
Becker underlined that the US administration had long ruled out another military option in the Middle East, largely due to its failures in previous interventions in Iraq and Afghanistan, while the European Union lacked a unified policy on Syria.
Another factor which contributed to the late response of the Western world on Syria had been the lack of a strong Muslim lobby, Becker said.
While Christian minorities or Kurds successfully raised awareness in Western media on the threat posed by ISIL, Muslim non-governmental organizations had failed to demonstrate the real picture in Syria and could not win over public opinion.
Becker also underlined that some Muslims have been hesitant to protest against the violent and mass murders of ISIL, fearing that to raise the issue in public would damage the image of Islam.
“But, on the contrary, their silence has actually done more damage to Islam,” Becker said.
“Muslim organizations should publicly condemn mass murders and human rights violations, no matter who these groups are targeting.”
www.aa.com.tr/en
