The Middle East seems forever to have been the site of slaughter and strife.
Adding to that tragic legacy, thousands have died in an uprising against Syrian President Bashar Assad. Over the past few days alone, it was reported that more than 160 people were cut down by government troops.
It happened near a city close to the Turkish border, news accounts say.
The Assad regime labels those killed “terrorists.”
We do not doubt that among the many Syrians who legitimately want to end Assad’s oppression, there are some who may be ill motivated and who may have acted illegally. But the more than 5,000 deaths during the rebellion suggest that Assad is not really fighting “terrorists” but a popular uprising.
This latest slaughter highlights the very reason why Syrians want Assad gone.