Tuesday, July 19, a US air strike killed approximately 60 civilians in Syria who were mistaken for ISIS fighters, and unfortunately, among these civilians, were children. Even though ISIS fighters have taken over Syria, in their desperate attempts to get rid of ISIL, the consequences have become severe. This air strike was much more than a mistake, it was careless.
ISIS is currently one of the most dangerous terrorist groups and according to CNN, ISIS has taken responsibility for over 125 attacks in 27 different countries. The last attack occurred in Nice, France, when a man drove a truck into a crowd injuring 303 and killing 84 people. The last attack that took place in the US was the Orlando shooting when a man opened fire at a nightclub injuring 53 and killing 49 people.
While I do understand the need to take ISIS down, the lengths to which America has gone has become dangerous for Syrian civilians. And in light of recent events, America still refuses to help Syrian refugees who are victims of ISIS attacks as well.
In the past, America has been known to let in refugees. In fact, our own senator Ted Cruz’s family are Cuban refugees. However, according to Bloomberg Politics most Americans want the U.S. to stop letting in Syrian refugees, in fact 53 percent of the population would deny access to refugees. The main reason refugees are denied access is because of fear. Americans worry that by letting in the refugees, we will also be letting in ISIS supporters.
While these fears are valid, it seems ISIS supporters are already among the U.S. population, unless the San Bernardino shooting and Orlando shooting were, in fact, not ISIS. However, the terrorist group took responsibility for these attacks, so we can only assume it was.
Of course, I understand why Americans would be hesitant to let people in who might be affiliated with this terrorist group, but I also understand that innocent children are dying. And in a country that takes pride in all its power, one can assume that we have enough power to help refugees.
Fear can be blinding and can often lead to inaction. But if we continue to sit on our hands while innocent people are being denied freedom, and even slaughtered, then not only do we let fear win, but we also keep ISIS in control. And with less civilians in Syria and Turkey, one can only imagine how much easier it would be not to mistake 60 civilians as ISIS fighters.
I urge people to consider America's role in this world. Will we continue to spread hate and war, or will we put aside our fears and prejudices' to help those who are in dire need of it?
