Reading the article "Syria peace hopes fade further" (July 28) gave me a sense of disquiet about the fate of the Syrian people, particularly those who have fled the country to find peace elsewhere. Time seems to be giving Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad the upper hand in the more than a year-long of fighting that reports said has killed over 100,000 people. Western countries, which have been ambivalent in their support for the rebels, should share the blame for the sufferings of the Syrians. It is clear that Assad, who has shown no care for his own people in his blind pursuit to stay in power, should go, but the West's indecisiveness to provide concrete support for the rebels seems to be turning the tide of war in favor of the cruel regime. The Syrians who have opted to remain in their country are living in constant fear of being killed by a bomb, or whatever, anytime. Those who have fled are suffering in refugee camps in Syria's neighboring countries. The United Nations has pushed the alarm button that life in these camps has become unbearable and that more funds are needed to feed the refugees. When will the sufferings of the Syrian people end? I really wish that Assad's brutal regime could be toppled but unless Western countries, particularly the United States, provide concrete support for the rebels, instead of paying their lip-service sympathy, Assad will continue his merciless killings of his own people. It has been reported that many Arab countries are providing the rebels with arms to even the lopsided "playing field " of war. Their solid support is commendable and provides a glimmer of hope that the rebels could hold their grounds against the heavily armed regime forces. The future might be uncertain after Assad is toppled, but booting him out is only sensible alternative at the moment. Roberto Benedicto, By email
