Why Syria's opposition don't want peace on superpowers' terms

Peace comes at a price, but for Syria's opposition the current plan put forward by world powers to end the war is nothing short of capitulation to the regime.

After five years of fighting, over 200,000 Syrians have died, cities have been flattened, and millions made homeless.

The Syrian opposition believe the talks they are being pushed into by Russia and their alleged "friend" the United States, is nothing short of a betrayal of the revolutionary ideas they subscribe too.

Colonial lessons

Some gave Russia and the United States a bleak history lesson, of what happens when world powers attempt to bully revolutionary forces.

"If the Syrian people are left with no other option but to do as the Vietnamese and Afghan peoples did to retain sovereignty over their land and the right to self-determination - which is the hardest and most painful choice - then they do not lack the courage or heroism they need to achieve their goals," said Syrian Coalition member Burhan Ghalioun.

The Syrian Coalition are clearly disgusted that the US has fallen back on its earlier demands for Bashar al-Assad to step down.

Washington is viewed as in cahoots with Russia and Iran on a deal to largely maintain the regime's control and apparatus.

Opposition media even alleged that the US gave a rebel delegation a stern ultimatum to agree to talks or financial aid will be withdrawn.

Even official announcements indicate extreme sceptism about Kerry's motives.

"Kerry did not make any promises, nor did he put forward any initiatives," said Syrian Coalition President Khaled Khoja. 

"He has long been delivering messages similar to those drafted by Iran and Russia which call for the establishment of a 'national government' and allowing Bashar al-Assad to stay in power and stand for re-election."

Power broker

Washington will be well aware that after Russian intervention Moscow holds the cards on what a political settlement might look like.

Yet, this acquiescence to Moscow's military might is particularly sickening to many when neither Russia nor the regime are offering an olive branch.

On Sunday, Russian air raids and ballistic missiles killed over 100 people, the opposition said.

Other attacks on clearly civilian targets also continue and the past week has been one of the bloodiest in the five-year war.

Syrian opposition see it unjust and hypocritical that it is now the rebels being accused of not wanting peace.

This is a particularly potent point when the UN Security Council resolution 2254 - approved by the United States and Russia - makes a clear link between a ceasefire and peace talks.

"[The UN] expresses its support for a nationwide ceasefire in Syria, which the ISSG has committed to support and
assist in implementing, to come into effect as soon as the representatives of the Syrian government and the opposition have begun initial steps towards a political
transition under UN auspices," the statement read.

Yet Damascus and Moscow appear to be heading in the opposite direction.

The world stands aside in part due to war weariness, but also because of the West's fear of what has materialised five years after the Arab Spring.

War, mass migration to Europe, and the emergence of an extremist group even more brutal than al-Qaeda means many US and European policy makers - linked to the left and liberal centre - are now seen as reactionary forces determined to entrench the powers of authoritarian regimes.

Washington's obsession with the Islamic State group has meant almost all of its material efforts in Syria and Iraq have been concentrated on erradicating Islamist extremism without addressing the root causes for the crisis, opposition say.

They also say they are being pressured into accepting "pro-regime" elements to represent them in talks.

Clearly, if this is the road to peace the world powers want Syrians to pursue, it is not the one that will end the war.