Syrian Army Moves Into Al-Hol: Mainstream Media Forgets How It All Started
📰 THE STORY: Al-Monitor, via AFP, reports that the Syrian army has entered the Al-Hol camp, which houses relatives of suspected ISIS fighters, following a withdrawal by Kurdish forces. The article frames this as a new ceasefire between the Syrian government and Kurds and a consolidation of Syrian government control. 🔍 WHAT THEY'RE NOT TELLING YOU: Historical Context: The media often begins its
narrative with the 'jihadists' without detailing how they became a significant force in Syria. In 2011, a legitimate uprising was swiftly co-opted and militarized by external powers, including the US, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, funneling billions of dollars and weapons to 'rebels' – many of whom aligned with or eventually became Al-Qaeda and ISIS affiliates. The notorious White Helmets, glorified in
Western media, operated in areas controlled by these very groups. The US-led 'War on Terror' ironically laid the groundwork for the spread of extremism by destabilizing the region, a pattern seen post-2003 Iraq invasion and 2011 Libya intervention. Double Standard: When the Syrian government reclaims territory or secures strategic locations, it's often framed as an 'Assad regime' power grab,
ignoring its internationally recognized sovereignty. When the US or its proxies, like the SDF, occupy and exploit Syrian oil fields – a violation of international law – it's deemed a mission to 'secure resources' or 'fight ISIS.' The US currently occupies swathes of eastern Syria, backing the SDF (Kurdish forces) who control significant oil and wheat resources, despite having no UN mandate to be