The Massacre of Civilians in Iraq and Syria, Essay Example

I may not be possible to concur on one meaning of the word terrorism. Macmillan Dictionary defines it as, “the calculated use of violence (or threat of violence) against civilians in order to attain goals that are political or religious or ideological in nature; this is done through intimidation or coercion or instilling fear.” The governments and opposition fighters in Iraq and in Syria, however, define terrorism according to their own prejudice and convenience.

In Syria, the Assad regime maintains it is battling armed terrorists who are supported by foreign powers intent on bringing down the government. The government claims to be defending the villagers from the opposition fighters who are massacring the innocent people. The Assad government claims that the armed terrorists have executed supporters of the government or members of Alawite sect, to include women and children. International observers have called the Islamic fighters killing ethnic cleansing while others believe their actions to be justified.

The New York Times reported that U.S. Marines massacred Iraqi civilians as they when on a house-to-house killing spree on November 19, 2005. Responding to the death of a fellow Marine, they executed 24 innocent civilians in cold blood. One might look at this incident as just a group of Marines that lost their control. Or, where the Marines sending a message to any opposition fighters who may be contemplitating actions against U.S. forces? During the Iraq war, many civilians were killed by suicide bombers loyal to one religious affiliation or another.

The deliberate massacres of civilians on a daily basis in Syria and in Iraq will be called terrorism or they will be called freedom fighting. It depends on one’s perspective and affiliation.