A new year, but no new hope for Syria

As peaceful countries around the world celebrated the start of 2015 with firework displays, Syrians saw in the new year to the crackle of gunfire.

While much of the human race celebrated a new phase in their lives, Syrians could find no space for happiness.

In Syria, they stayed inside and the streets were almost deserted, as bullets cracked crazily for almost one hour. The cities then then fell silent and embraced the pitch-dark night.

People stayed inside and the streets were almost deserted, as bullets cracked crazily for almost one hour.

The new year programmes broadcast on state TV lacked vitality and appeal, as always. They touched upon the history of the conspiracy and the masterminds of the sedition, the unified Syrian people, the US as the killer of the Syrian people, and Zionism that controls world policies.

One of the channels showed footage from Syrian cities, including disaster-stricken Aleppo, to show life continues as normal and people are still celebrating the end of the year. It was as if the killing and displacement of thousands, and the destruction of their homes, had been forgotten.

How can people reeling from a year stained with blood feel happy? How can a people - starving, cold, displaced, and lost - feel happy as another year arrives - one that all indicators suggest will be just like the previous one?

The last year capped decades and centuries of injustice and tyranny. It witnessed the declaration of the Islamic State, whose leaders want to rule by ancient laws and customs.

Over the last year the world stood by and watched our tragedies unfold.

Some countries built an alliance to threaten the IS. But the IS has an army with combat experience that is defying the most powerful international forces. Wherever it goes it continues to murder people, invade land, and violate honours.

It is destroying Syria's rich and diverse social balance. How can those under IS rule celebrate a new year invented by infidels? How can they dare talk about such an occasion?

The Syrian people are on a slippery slope, with living standards declining and prices rising as the crisis continues.

Syrian families fear for their children. Any old enough are expected to carry a weapon and fight either for the regime's army or an armed brigade. The children who are still alive are warped by the tragedy and violence they have experienced.

And there are no political initiatives to end the bloodshed. The world does not really care about the Syrian people, with regimes seeking to secure their own interests. External powers are playing out their wars on our land.

Syria urgently needs emergency measures before it is suffocated. We need to focus on what is possible. Time and effort should be used to make sure this new year Syrians work to resolve the situation.

Why should this year not be a good Syrian year?  

This article is an edited translation from our Arabic edition.