Syria's unrelenting conflict

The UN’s attempts to end the fighting in Syria continue to be met with opposition from those that have, reportedly, agreed to the truce. Loyalist forces continue attacks against some dissident cities and rebels and Islamist extremists persist in attacking state security forces and facilities. The violence not only undermines the truce but also significantly erodes the UN’s image. Without a stick the carrot of a truce is unlikely to work and has been vividly displayed as useless. The Syrian regime wants to eradicate the rebels or wants the rebels to surrender and will not remove its heavy weapons from urban centres without a good reason to do so. The rebels meanwhile continue to respond to the loyalist attacks with attacks of their own. The third players, the extremists, remain outside of any agreement and are likely to continue to operate in the country for years to come. The situation in the north and south remains particularly bad and while the centre remains relatively calm one cannot help but sense that a breaking point is fast approaching.