For insight into the crisis in Syria and the U.S. intervention in the conflict, FOX40 visited a UC Davis professor and author who has knowledge of the region, its culture and politics.
“I think it’s so important that people understand how many people of Muslim heritage there are in Iraq, in Syria, and in other countries who oppose these extremist groups, who have been working to oppose them, to counter them, to speak out against them,” said Karima Bennoune, professor of international law and author of the book, “You Fatwa Does Not Apply here: Untold Stories from the Fight Against Muslim Fundamentalism.”
For her book, Professor Bennoune interviewed 300 people of Muslim heritage from 30 countries, all of whom oppose extremism.
The conflict in Syira is a political one that arose because of the policies and abuses committed by the Syrian government of President Bashar al-Assad, according to Bennoune.
“But then unfortunately some rebel groups took advantage of that situation,” she explained. “It was first a peaceful attempt to overthrow Assad. Armed groups moved in. Extremist armed groups moved in. And we should understand ISIS not as a religious group or a reflection of Syrian or local culture, but as a political movement of the extreme right that manipulates religion to take power. This is essentially an extremist political group, not a religious movement, and that’s a very important distinction to make. There are many Muslims around the world who ardently oppose ISIS.”
Professor Bennoune identifies herself as someone generally uncomfortable with the use of force. But when dealing with ISIS militants, she says force may be the only way. At least in the short term.
“The use of force can be very important in countering ISIS, in helping to protect the civilians that it is targeting on the ground,” offered Bennoune. “But it cannot produce a long term solution. For that we need a negotiated resolution to this war in Syria that has claimed nearly 200 thousand lives.”
The professor stressed the importance of following international law in miliatary actions against ISIS, and providing humanitarian relief on the ground.
She also said a negotiated solution to counteract ISIS in Syria should bring in all involved parties, including regional and international players.
“If we don’t have a global strategy for dealing with them, we will simply end up fighting this war somewhere else next year,” she added.
