+ All Categories
Home > Documents > Study Guide - SCC

Study Guide - SCC

Date post: 14-Apr-2018
Category:
Upload: rbsmun9469
View: 221 times
Download: 0 times
Share this document with a friend
21
 SYRIAN CRISIS COMMITTEE RBSMUN 2013 STUDY GUIDE President: Kamakshii Kanojia Vice President: Raghav Poddar Moderator: Prerana Adhikari RB S MUN Rato Bangala School Model United Nations 2013
Transcript
Page 1: Study Guide - SCC

7/29/2019 Study Guide - SCC

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/study-guide-scc 1/21

 

SYRIAN CRISIS COMMITTEE

RBSMUN 2013

STUDY GUIDE

President: Kamakshii Kanojia

Vice President: Raghav Poddar 

Moderator: Prerana Adhikari

RBSMUN

2013

Rato Bangala School Model United Nations 2013

Page 2: Study Guide - SCC

7/29/2019 Study Guide - SCC

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/study-guide-scc 2/21

 

2  Study Guide: Syrian Crisis Committee 

CONTENTS MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT ........................................................................................ 3 

INTRODUCTION TO THE COMMITTEE ................................................................................... 4 

HISTORY OF THE PROBLEM ................................................................................................... 5 

CURRENT SITUATION ............................................................................................................. 7 

RELEVANT UN ACTIONS ......................................................................................................... 9 

PROPOSED SOLUTIONS ........................................................................................................12 

DIRECTIVES AND COMMUNIQUES ........................................................................................14 

POSITION PAPER FORMAT ....................................................................................................15 

BLOC POSITIONS ....................................................................................................................17 

SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH .........................................................................19 

REFERENCES .........................................................................................................................20 

Page 3: Study Guide - SCC

7/29/2019 Study Guide - SCC

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/study-guide-scc 3/21

 

3  Study Guide: Syrian Crisis Committee 

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT 

Dear Delegates,

Welcome to Syrian Crisis Committee RBS MUN 2013  – the first ever Crisis Committee in the history of 

Rato Bangala School Model United Nations. In this committee, you will be required to solve the crises as

you come across a widespread range of committed atrocities and grievances that pose a grave threat to

global and regional security and we expect you do so with utmost alacrity and comprehensiveness,

exploring every possible dimension of the problem provided to you and of the consequences of the

actions you decide to take in order to solve them.

More than 100,000 lives have been lost since Syrian Civil War began in April 2011. Millions more are

estranged, living as refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey and Iraq and within Syria itself. Theinternational community has stood by watched as it let gross human right violations and the failure of 

the Syrian Arab Republic take place. No more, delegates. No more. You have been chosen as the

delegates of Syrian Crisis Committee to tackle the crisis that is the Syrian Civil War that has been left

unresolved for too long now. It is in your hands to resolve this crisis (and any more that arise during the

session itself) and establish peace in the region before there are no more lives left to be lost. It is on

these three days that are the committee sessions that you will decide on the fate of Syria. Bear in mind

that if you fail to come up with a viable and comprehensive resolution, you let Syria turn into a chaotic

wasteland used only as a battleground for expressing unresolved hostilities by ruthlessly killing anyone

who dares enter the land.

Expect to be constantly challenged with indefatigable updates and crises that seem too complicated to

be resolved, and resolve them. This committee will be a fast-paced, nerve-wrecking, action-packed,

brain-teasing experience that will test every ounce of diplomacy that you have and you will find yourself 

being willingly dragged into the debate and into the crises that are flung in your way.

Your dais members and spent a lot of time and effort putting together this study guide for you so it can

serve as a basis for your research and we suggest that you go through it thoroughly before attending the

sessions and engaging in further research. Feel free to contact Prerana, your Moderator, Raghav, your

Vice-President or me, your President, any time prior to the conference and we will answer any queries

and clarify any concerns that you have.

Yours Sincerely,

Kamakshi Kanojia

President, Syrian Crisis Committee, RBS MUN 2013

[email protected]

Page 4: Study Guide - SCC

7/29/2019 Study Guide - SCC

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/study-guide-scc 4/21

 

4  Study Guide: Syrian Crisis Committee 

INTRODUCTION TO THE COMMITTEE

The Syrian Crisis Committee has been established specifically to deal with the ongoing crisis in Syria  – 

the civil war, the failure of the resolution of which has caused the death tolls to rise over a hundred

thousand and the number of displaced persons to rise over 1.6 million since the beginning of the conflict

in March 2011. The Syrian Council is unique in the sense that it will pass directives and communiqués in

addition to a resolution solving not only the Syrian Crisis, but also the other related pressing issues that

the delegates will be faced with during the committee sessions.

20 parties, both states and involved parties have agreed to a one-time negotiation session. All involved

parties, including certain organizations designated as terrorists by some members of the international

community have come together as a one-time discussion panel under the United Nations. This

committee will only be valid for the three days of the conferences and will have the right to make a

binding resolution with a two-third majority without the interference of vetoes from the P5 nations,

after which it will be dissolved, regardless of its success or failure.

Page 5: Study Guide - SCC

7/29/2019 Study Guide - SCC

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/study-guide-scc 5/21

 

5  Study Guide: Syrian Crisis Committee 

HISTORY OF THE PROBLEM 

1946 Syria gains its independence from France but the nation’s people face unrest 

1946-

1971

The country faces numerous military coups and changes of government

1971 Hafez al-Assad is elected President by a national referendum for a seven year term

1973 Syria and Egypt go to war with Israel for the Golan Heights, which results in a

disengagement treaty between Syria and Israel.

1980 Muslim Brotherhood tries to assassinate Assad

1981 Israel takes control of the Golan Heights

1982  Muslim Brotherhood leads an uprising against the government in the city of Homs

but they are crushed by the government forces; the government is accused of 

killing thousands

1983 Hafez al-Assad falls sick; seizing his opportunity, Hafez al-Assad’s brother Rifaat al-Assad carried out a failed coup against him. When Hafez recovered he sent his

brother to exile pretending to send him on a mission to France.

2000 Hafez al-Assad passes away and the constitution is amended to reduce the

mandatory minimum age from 40 to 34 to make Bashar al-Assad the President. To

Page 6: Study Guide - SCC

7/29/2019 Study Guide - SCC

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/study-guide-scc 6/21

 

6  Study Guide: Syrian Crisis Committee 

mark his presidency, Assad releases 600 political prisoners.

The Damascus Spring was a period of intense political debate with reforms

discussed in informal forums called salons.

The government officials announced reforms, political prisoners were released and

amnesties were granted. Human rights organizations were established, and unlike

under Hafez al-Assad, they were not repressed. Unfortunately, this period was

short-lived; the government retightened its grip on the freedom of speech and

Bashar al-Assad started employing his father’s way of ruling.

.

Page 7: Study Guide - SCC

7/29/2019 Study Guide - SCC

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/study-guide-scc 7/21

 

7  Study Guide: Syrian Crisis Committee 

CURRENT SITUATION

Incited by the surge of revolutions brought about by the Arab Spring, the Syrian Civil War began with the

uprising that took place of March 15, 2011 demanding the resignation of President Bashar al-Assad from

the Arab Socialist Ba’ath Party and had reached nationwide proportions by April 2011. In retaliation, the

Syrian Army open-fired on demonstrators throughout the country in April 2011, turning what started

out as a peaceful protest into a full-blown civil war.

The escalating violence in Syria has left a death toll of 106,423 casualties as of 9/08/2012 since

18/3/2011 according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. It has reported that the deceased

includes

  38,660 civilians (including 5,553 women and

3,607 children)

  15,191 rebel fighters

  2,106 defected soldiers and officers

  26,853 regular soldiers

  2,680 unidentified casualties (documented

with pictures and footage)  3,198 non-Syrian and unidentified rebels (most

of whom are non-Syrians)

  17,564 combatants from the Popular

Committees, National Defence Forces,

Shabiha, and pro regime informers

  171 fighters from the Lebanese Hezbollah

These reports exclude the existence of more than 10,000 detainees, over 4.25 million Internally

Displaced Persons (IDPs) , over 6.8 million people in need of humanitarian assistance within Syria itself 

and thousands of people who have poured into Turkey, Lebanon, Iraq and Jordan as refugees.

They have also stated that “the real number of casualties from regular forces and rebel fighters is twice

the number documented, because both sides are discreet about the human losses resulting from

clashes.” 

Page 8: Study Guide - SCC

7/29/2019 Study Guide - SCC

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/study-guide-scc 8/21

 

8  Study Guide: Syrian Crisis Committee 

Currently, the government controls 30-40% of the country with 60 % of the population, the rest being in

the hands of the deeply divided rebels, some of whom have shown ties with terrorist organizations like

al-Qaeda and the Lebanese Hezbollah. These terrorist organizations have been supplying both the rebels

and the Syrian Government with arms, al-Qaeda showing ties with al-Nusra and Hezbollah showing ties

with Iran and the Syrian Government.

International sanctions have been placed on Syria owing to its arming of the Lebanese Hezbollah.

Assad’s government has shown the greatest intransigence, supporting several anti-Israel armed groups

by the US such as Hezbollah and the Hamas. Also responsible for the lack of negotiations is the Syrian

National Coalition, which has refused to come to any form of peace talks unless Assad steps down.

The Alawite minority, represented by al-Assad in the Ba’ath party is also one of the reasons for al-

Assad’s prolonged rule. The minorities fear that if Assad steps down, their representation in the Syrian

Government will be non-existent and will soon become extinct, which is a very possible scenario.  

Page 9: Study Guide - SCC

7/29/2019 Study Guide - SCC

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/study-guide-scc 9/21

 

9  Study Guide: Syrian Crisis Committee 

RELEVANT UN ACTIONS

Security Council

Date Actions 

07/20/12 The Security Council adopted a resolution renewing the placement of 300 UN

observers in Syria for 30 days in hope that the government would stop usingheavy weapons and stop employing violent means

07/03/13 The deeply divided Security Council considered whether to approve a

statement calling on the Syrian government to facilitate immediate access to

the estimated 2,500 civilians trapped in the central city of Homs as a result of 

recent heavy fighting.

04/18/13 Two Security Council sessions with an open briefing followed by closed

consultations took place regarding the humanitarian situation in Syria

07/16/13 The Security Council held a public briefing on the humanitarian situation in

Syria followed by closed consultations

07/26/13 The Security Council held a meeting with the leaders of the Syrian National

Coalition in closed sessions as organized by the United Kingdom

07/27/13 The Security Council renewed the peace-keeping mission in the Israel-

occupied Golan Heights monitoring a decade-old truce between Israel andSyria that has been affected by the spillover violence by the Syrian civil war for

six months now

Page 10: Study Guide - SCC

7/29/2019 Study Guide - SCC

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/study-guide-scc 10/21

 

10  Study Guide: Syrian Crisis Committee 

United Nations Supervision Mission in Syria (UNSMIS) 

The United Nations mission in Syria was set up in 2012 as a result of United Nations Security Council

resolution 2043 which was a heavy response towards the uprising civil war that existed in Syria.

Dates Actions 

04/16/12 UNSMIS arrived in Syria

06/07/12 It was declared that the six-point plan of UNSMIS had not been implemented

07/20/12 The Security Council extended UNSMIS for 30 days stating that any further

extension would be possible only ‘in the event that the Secretary-General

reports and the Security Council confirms the cessation of the use of heavy

weapons and a reduction in the level of violence sufficient by all sides’ to

allow the UNSMIS monitors to implement their mandate.

08/19/12 Due to the failure in the fulfillment of the set conditions, the UNMIS was

dissolved

General Assembly 

Dates Actions

16 February, 2012 The resolution condemned the violence in Syria. Adopting an Arab backed

resolution, the Assembly called upon all diplomatic efforts to end the

crisis.

3 August, 2012 The UN General Assembly approved a resolution on Syria strongly

condemning the increasing use of heavy weapons including indiscriminate

shelling. This resolution deplored the Security Council’s failure to act on

Page 11: Study Guide - SCC

7/29/2019 Study Guide - SCC

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/study-guide-scc 11/21

 

11  Study Guide: Syrian Crisis Committee 

Syria and called for political transition.

15 May, 2013 The General Assembly approved a resolution condemning the violentactions of the Syrian government: use of indiscriminate violence against

civilian populations. This lead to the establishment of the National

Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces as interlocutors

needed for a political transition. With 107 votes in favor, 12 votes against

and 59 abstentions the resolution was adopted.

Page 12: Study Guide - SCC

7/29/2019 Study Guide - SCC

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/study-guide-scc 12/21

 

12  Study Guide: Syrian Crisis Committee 

PROPOSED SOLUTIONS

1.  Arab League Mission

The Arab League Peace Plan 

On 3 November, 2011, the Arab League suggested ceasefire was accepted by the Syrian

government. However, the continued suppression of the rebel groups and the killing of over 250

people during the time span of 2nd to 12th November lead to the breakdown of the ceasefire. On a

second attempt at a solution, Syria complied to the Arab League peace plan on 19th December, 2011

that dictated the release of 3,500 prisoners the arrival of observers into the country that occurred

on 3rd

January 2012 and 552 detainees on 5th

January, 2012.

The Arab League Observers Mission 

In accordance with the Arab League Peace Plan, 50 observers arrived in Syria on 26 th December

2011. Even after the technical expiry of the Arab League Observers on January 18th, there were 165

observers as of 22nd January present in Syria. However, the mission was suspended on January 28th 

due to the rapidly deteriorating situation in Syria.

UN Resolution Proposal  

The Arab League requested the adoption of a Security Council resolution calling for Assad to step

down on 31st January, 2012. China and Russia vetoed this resolution and a non-binding General

Assembly resolution was adopted with opposing votes from China and Russia after the failure of the

adoption of the Security Council resolution on 4 th February 2012.

2.  The Russian Proposal

Russia has maintained that the Syrian conflict needs to be dealt with internally without the

interference of the international community. It hosted informal talks between the Syrian

Government and the opposition representatives on 30th January 2012.

3. 

The Kofi Annan Peace Envoy

The Kofi Annan peace envoy for Syria, also known as the six-point peace plan for Syria was launched

on 23rd February 2012 when Kofi Annan, former Secretary-General of the United Nations, was

appointed as the joint UN-Arab League special envoy to Syria. A six-point peace plan was submitted

to the UN on 16th March, 2012, which, on 27th March, was accepted by the Syrian government. A

failed attempt at a ceasefire mediated by Kofi Annan was made. On the 12th of April, the Syrian

government declared a ceasefire, which only initiated on 14 th April. Both sides had violated the

Page 13: Study Guide - SCC

7/29/2019 Study Guide - SCC

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/study-guide-scc 13/21

 

13  Study Guide: Syrian Crisis Committee 

ceasefire agreement. Kofi Annan resigned on 2nd August 2012 on the basis of the intransigence

shown by both the rebel groups and the Syrian government.

The United Nations Supervision Mission in Syria 

Security Council Resolution 2043 authorized a UN peacekeeping mission in Syria in response to the

Kofi Annan peace plan for Syria. It was suspended on June 16, 2012 due to the “escalating violence”

by Robert Mood, the major general commanding the mission. 

4.  The Lakhdar Brahimi Peace Envoy

Lakhdar Brahimi, a former Algerian foreign minister, was appointed Koi Annan's position as the UN-

Arab League special representative for Syria on August 17, 2012, two weeks after Annan resigned.

5.  US-Russia Peace Proposal

The United States of America and the Russian Federation issued a joint proposal in May 2013,

signifying an important turn of events for the Security Council had been deeply divided with US and

Russia on clashing sides on the issue up until then.

G8 Summit Discussions

The 39th G8 Summit came up with a seven-point plan for Syria calling for better humanitarian aid,

condemning the use of chemical weapons by anyone, backing a transitional government,

encouraging peace talks, maintaining Syrian public institutions and instilling a new non-sectarian

government.

Geneva II

The Geneva II Middle-East conference will be held In September 2013, primarily focusing on the

Syrian Crisis

Page 14: Study Guide - SCC

7/29/2019 Study Guide - SCC

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/study-guide-scc 14/21

 

14  Study Guide: Syrian Crisis Committee 

DIRECTIVES AND COMMUNIQUES 

Directive: 

A directive is a command given by the delegate to his/her own country or organization during crisis

situations. The delegates must keep in mind which commands are reasonably within the delegate’s

authority to dictate. They will be written in the following format:

To: The US government

From: The Delegate of USA

Deploy 3000 troops to Syria

The approval of the committee is not required for the passing of a directive to take place. A delegate

may do so of his/her own volition, but the committee will be at liberty to commend or criticize the

actions of the delegate.

Communiqué: 

A communiqué is a mini-resolution that will be used to resolve crises. A minimum of one sponsor,

maximum of two and a two-thirds majority voting for the communiqué will be required in order for a

communiqué to pass. It will have no perambulatory clauses. A minimum of one and a maximum of tenoperative clauses may be presented in a communiqué. The delegates may make amendments to a

communiqué if they wish to change any particular clause. Two types of amendments may be made. 

Substantive Amendment : If a part of a clause or the clause itself is to be added, amended or deleted, it

will be called a substantive amendment and will require a simple majority to pass  

Non Substantive Amendment: If a grammatical, factual or formatting error is being corrected, a non

substantive amendment is made and no voting will take place on type of amendment

Page 15: Study Guide - SCC

7/29/2019 Study Guide - SCC

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/study-guide-scc 15/21

 

15  Study Guide: Syrian Crisis Committee 

POSITION PAPER FORMAT

A position paper is essentially your country/organization’s stance on the issue. A sample position paper

is displayed below.

 ___________________ Position Paper ___________________ 

Delegation: Republic of Korea 

Date:07/18/2013 

Committee: Security Council 

Name of Delegate: XXX 

School: Rato Bangala School 

 _____________________________________________________________________________________ 

Topic: Defining the parameters of the authority and accountability of non-state military organizations in conflict and post

conflict scenarios

1.  What is my country’s stance on the issue? (A sentence or two followed by an explanation if you wish to justify your

position)Does my country support question 1? 

The Republic of Korea recognizes the need for the parameters of the authority and accountability of non-state

military organizations to be clearly defined. While it recognizes the advantages of non-state military organizations

functioning in conflict and post-conflict areas, the Republic of Korea is also concerned by the legal difficulty to hold

them accountable for their actions. The fact that most of these non- state military organizations are profit-motivatedand do not reflect the views and intentions of the country they are functioning on behalf of is also of concern to not

only the Republic of Korea, but also to the rest of the global community.

2.  What has my country done to support/condemn the issue in the past

  Supported and expressed approval of Resolutions S/RES/1540 (2004), S/RES/1810 (2008) and S/RES/1977 (2011) that

decide that all states must establish laws to prevent in from “providing any form of support to non-State actors that

attempt to develop, acquire, manufacture , possess, transport, transfer or use nuclear, chemical or biological

weapons and their means of delivery” 

  Chaired the 1540 United Nations committee on “Preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction to non-

State actors”, stating that “it is a global endeavor that requires sustained cooperation from all stakeholders since

global impact of resolution 1540 is only as strong as the weakest link in the chain”  

  Adopted Security Police Act of 1973 and Security Industry Act of 1976, Security Guarding Services Act 2002, Security

System Enterprises Act 2001, Act Amending the 1976 Security Industry Act 1995, Act Amending the 1976 Security

Industry Act 1999, which aim to minimize a lapse in security on behalf of the private sector.

  Established laws, in accordance with Security Council resolutions to limit the military activities of Private Military and

Security Companies (PMSCs)

Page 16: Study Guide - SCC

7/29/2019 Study Guide - SCC

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/study-guide-scc 16/21

 

16  Study Guide: Syrian Crisis Committee 

3.  The Korean National Assembly refused to entertain the possibility of the formation of a private military company to

organize, recruit and train a Korean constable force similar to the US-based Blackwater in Iraq in March 2008

claiming that it would be similar to sending “mercenaries” on behalf of the US 

What does my country plan to do in the future to further support or condemn question 1?

  A standard definition of what jurisdiction a non-state organization comes under and what they are authorized to do

must be included in the Security Council resolutions.

  A monitoring body funded by respective states must be established in any country that has non-state military

organizations and the actions of Private Military Companies should be strictly monitored and regulated by the

government

  International laws demanding the regulation and control of non-state military actors and holding the said actors

accountable for their actions must be established.

 References:

  http://www.un.org/en/sc/1540/transparency-and-outreach/outreach-

events/pdf/ChairmanStatementaSaudi1540Event2013-Day3.pdf  

  http://daccess-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N04/328/43/PDF/N0432843.pdf?OpenElement  

  http://daccess-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N08/318/65/PDF/N0831865.pdf?OpenElement  

  http://daccess-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N11/306/79/PDF/N1130679.pdf?OpenElement  

  http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/unamid/facts.shtml  

  http://timshorrock.com/?p=1375  

  http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Mercenaries/WGMercenaries/Pages/NationalLegislationSurve

y.aspx   http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Mercenaries/WGMercenaries/Pages/NationalRegulatoryFram

eworks.aspx 

  http://psm.du.edu/national_regulation/  

  http://www.privatesecurityregulation.net/countries/results/taxonomy%3A237.185  

Page 17: Study Guide - SCC

7/29/2019 Study Guide - SCC

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/study-guide-scc 17/21

 

17  Study Guide: Syrian Crisis Committee 

BLOC POSITIONS

Arab league: 

The Arab League, of which Syria is also a member, consists of 22 nations from the Middle East and

Northern Africa. On November 12, 2011, the Syrian government's membership was suspended and

sanctions were placed against members of the government due to the rapidly escalating violence. The

Syrian National Coalition was invited into the League to be the representative of Syria on March 6, 2013

and is now the official representative of Syria in the League.

The League called upon Bashar al-Assad to step down and hand over power to his deputy and even

proposed a resolution in the Security Council asking him to do so, but it failed due to China and Russia

vetoing the resolution. At the moment the Arab League has called back all its observers 

European Union: 

The European Union supports the opposition; it has condemned the use of violence by the government

forces and also imposed sanctions on Syria. The sanctions include:

  Asset freezes and travel bans imposed on top members of the Syrian military and government,

including Assad and his family

  Establishment of an arms embargo

  Sanction on the Syrian central bank

  Bans on the import of Syrian oil and the export of equipment for the petroleum industry

China and Russia: 

China and Russia believe that the Syrian conflict can only be solved by internal political dialogue; both

the nations are strongly against military intervention as both have important economic and military ties

with Syria. They have vetoed three resolutions in the Security Council that asked Assad to step down.

China and Russia fear that if a military intervention takes place, the situation similar to the chaos in Libya

might arise. Russia frequently supplies the Syrian government with high-tech weapons and it also

maintains a naval base in the country.

United States of America: 

USA has supported the rebels but it refuses to intervene in the conflict as complications may arise. The

United States has placed sanctions on Syria that prohibits bilateral trade. USA has frozen assets relatedto several Syrian Government officials and it has also frozen assets the Central Bank of Syria. Like in the

EU, Syrian petroleum products are currently banned for import in the USA.

Iran: 

Iran, along with its ally Hezbollah, has constantly aided the Syrian government with monetary funding

and military assistance. It is reported that Syria was supplied with riot control equipment, intelligence

monitoring techniques, oil supply, and snipers. Iran has also given $9 billion in monetary assistance to

Page 18: Study Guide - SCC

7/29/2019 Study Guide - SCC

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/study-guide-scc 18/21

 

18  Study Guide: Syrian Crisis Committee 

ease the pressure of Western sanctions. Iran strongly condemns the possibility of a military intervention

citing destabilization of the entire region as a consequence. However, Iran welcomes peace talks held

between the opposition and the government; Ahmadinejad was quoted as saying "When there is a

problem between the people and their leaders, they must sit down together to reach a solution, away

from violence". 

Israel: 

Israel and Syria have had a bitter history and this history is reflecting on the crisis at hand. Syria has

constantly demanded the Golan Heights and this has become a major obstacle to the peace process

between them. On 24 March 2011, Avigdor Lieberman, Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs said, “The same

principles, activities the Western world [has taken] in Libya… I hope to see those regarding the Iranian

regime and the Syrian regime.” Lieberman hoped for an intervention in Syria to stop the killings and

peace in the region. Israel is ready to prevent weapons from falling into the hands of Hezbollah, the

Lebanese militia, but it refrains from entering the civil war itself. Israel’s views were supported by

actions; Israel has conducted four air strikes on Syrian land in suspicion that those weapons could or

were going to fall in the hands of Hezbollah.

Saudi Arabia and Qatar:

Saudi Arabia and Qatar were providing the rebels with light arms but at the request of the United States

of America they stopped this supply; instead, they supply arms through the Supreme Military Council of 

the SNC.

Turkey: 

Turkey was a staunch of supporter of Syria until the government’s aggression increased. Turkey has

supported the rebels and has facilitated the arms supply to the Syrian opposition. In October 2012,

Turkey shelled several Syrian targets in cross-border mortar attacks.

Egypt: 

Egypt has called on the opposition and the government to hold talks but for the moment Egypt had cut

all diplomatic ties with Syria. 

The Al-Nusra Front:

The Al-Nusra Front has been one of the deadliest and most effective driving forces against the

government forces in Syria. The fighters in the group are veterans who have previously fought in Libya,

Afghanistan and Iraq which makes differentiates it from all the other groups in the region. The honesty

and discipline within the group has helped it to control and run several facilities and plants in the North

Eastern region. Basic facilities like food, water, electricity, healthcare and even justice under the Sharia

law is provided to the citizens of Shadadi.

Page 19: Study Guide - SCC

7/29/2019 Study Guide - SCC

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/study-guide-scc 19/21

 

19  Study Guide: Syrian Crisis Committee 

SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH

The dais will be accepting any major news agency as a valid source of information. The delegates may,

however, question the source of your information. For example, the Delegate of People’s Republic of 

Korea would be entitled to question the information derived from the US news agency CNN.

Examples of accepted news agencies: 

Reuters

BBC

CNN

Aljazeera

AFP

UNBISnet

Sites that might be helpful for Syria-related research:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-13216195

http://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21579494-president-bashar-assad-and-his-

forces-have-won-new-lease-life-regime-digs

http://edition.cnn.com/2012/08/24/world/meast/syria-101

http://www.acaps.org/en/pages/syria-snap-project

http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/interactive/2013/03/2013314145918144597.html

Note: Please remember that these are just a few sites that might be helpful. Do not depend on them. You

are required to explore other sources for information.

Page 20: Study Guide - SCC

7/29/2019 Study Guide - SCC

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/study-guide-scc 20/21

 

20  Study Guide: Syrian Crisis Committee 

REFERENCES1.  http://www.globalresearch.ca/syria-a-historical-perspective-on-the-current-crisis/24568

2.  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-14703995

3.  http://carnegie-mec.org/publications/?fa=48516

4.  http://sites.mgkworld.net/thessis08/files/communique_writing.pdf 

5.  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-14703856

6.  http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/19/world/middleeast/un-reports-increased-number-of-

displaced- people.html?_r=0

7.  http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/emergencies/un-relief-supplies-depart-dubai-for-syria-

1.1220716

8.  https://www.facebook.com/syriaohr

9.  http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/ca9cbebc-0420-11e3-8aab-

00144feab7de,Authorised=false.html?_i_location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ft.com%2Fcms%2Fs%2

F0%2Fca9cbebc-0420-11e3-8aab-00144feab7de.html&_i_referer=#axzz2cQohLQWE

10.  http://www.unhcr.org/pages/49e486a76.html

11.  http://www.responsibilitytoprotect.org/index.php/crises/crisis-in-syria

12.  http://www.un.org/apps/news/infocusRel.asp?infocusID=146&Body=Syria&Body1=

13.  http://ww3.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21578443-russia-and-america-try-bit-

 jaw-jaw-how-about-diplomacy

14.  http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2013/05/13/Syria-opposition-to-consult-

allies-over-U-S-Russia-peace-initiative-.html

15.  http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/world/story/2012-01-05/syria-political-

prisoners/52387422/1

16.  http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iOopJQLs2bnTmk3TRzytK_NIKcXg?doc

Id=CNG.0fe739f1f49df34b937ed993417cb269.721

17.  http://www.haaretz.com/news/middle-east/arab-league-observer-assad-committing-genocide-

in-syria-1.403756

18.  http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/01/22/189842.html

19.  http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/01/26/190767.html

Page 21: Study Guide - SCC

7/29/2019 Study Guide - SCC

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/study-guide-scc 21/21

 

21 Study Guide Syrian Crisis Committee

20.  http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/01/30/191474.html

21.  http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2012/sc10583.doc.html

22.  http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/unsmis/background.shtml

23.  http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/UN-leads-global-calls-for-action-against-

violence-in-Syria/articleshow/13564462.cms

24.  http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2013/06/18/g8-harper-cameron-putin-obama.html

25.  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-18471686

26.  http://www1.umn.edu/humanrts/edumat/studyguides/refugees.html


Recommended