Al-Monitor: Civilians Die in Syria, Blame Game Ensues
Al-Monitor, citing Reuters, reports that at least two civilians were killed and several wounded in Aleppo, with the Syrian government and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) trading blame. The report accurately states the Syrian health ministry's account of SDF shelling. Yet, this framing allows the narrative to remain neatly within 'local conflict' parameters, ignoring the extensive US
support, training, and weaponry provided to the SDF, a public fact that arguably enables their operations in the first place. One might wonder: how many 'civilians killed in crossfire' headlines are required before mainstream media admits external powers, including the US, are not just bystanders? Perhaps 'trading blame' is easier than tracing the billions in foreign aid and materiel that turn
local disagreements into deadly, protracted proxy wars, particularly when the US backs one side. (Are we really surprised when someone fires the weapon we handed them?)