Maj Kim Patterson 2161949 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Residents trapped were told they’d be allowed to leave Aleppo, Syria’s largest city, ground zero in the country’s five year-long civil war ever since rebel groups (some backed by the US) took over in 2012. Syrian President Assad’s forces (backed by Russia and Iran) have ramped up efforts to take it back. Many people trapped in the city turned to social media to post final goodbye messages. <br /><br />In the past few days Assad’s forces reportedly are executing civilians on the streets, including children. Then earlier this week, the rebels agreed to a ceasefire deal that basically amounted to a surrender to Assad. The deal was supposed to include a safe route for residents to leave. That didn’t happen. Now, it looks like evacuation plans are back on. Except then this morning, some residents trying to leave were attacked by Assad’s forces. Apparently evacuations are still a go though. TBD on just how safe they end up being 2016-12-15T12:56:59-05:00 Maj Kim Patterson 2161949

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Residents trapped were told they’d be allowed to leave Aleppo, Syria’s largest city, ground zero in the country’s five year-long civil war ever since rebel groups (some backed by the US) took over in 2012. Syrian President Assad’s forces (backed by Russia and Iran) have ramped up efforts to take it back. Many people trapped in the city turned to social media to post final goodbye messages. <br /><br />In the past few days Assad’s forces reportedly are executing civilians on the streets, including children. Then earlier this week, the rebels agreed to a ceasefire deal that basically amounted to a surrender to Assad. The deal was supposed to include a safe route for residents to leave. That didn’t happen. Now, it looks like evacuation plans are back on. Except then this morning, some residents trying to leave were attacked by Assad’s forces. Apparently evacuations are still a go though. TBD on just how safe they end up being

2016-12-15T12:56:59-05:00 2016-12-15T12:56:59-05:00 SGT David T. 2162004

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I am a firm believer in noninterference. A civil war is an ugly and very sad thing but ultimately is an internal affair that they need to sort out for themselves. We should never involve ourselves in the internal affairs of other sovereign nations. I feel for the people trapped, but I find it highly unlikely that in 5 years they had no opportunity at all to leave. That is war. As much as we don&#39;t want it to happen, civilians always die in the crossfire.

2016-12-15T13:09:10-05:00 2016-12-15T13:09:10-05:00 Capt Private RallyPoint Member 2162225

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>As much as Syria is a humanitarian disaster, there are no parties left that are friendly to the US and all of our &quot;moderate rebel groups&quot; have entered complex alliances with radical jihadists. There&#39;s an old maxim by the medieval Persian poet Saadi: &quot;When you see contention amongst your enemies, go and sit at ease with your friends; but when you see them of one mind, string your bow, and place stones upon the ramparts.&quot;<br /><br />Right now our enemies are tearing each other apart. While we should urge everyone to respect the law of war and spare civilians, we need to let this play out. We can&#39;t decry America&#39;s role as &quot;World Police&quot; and step into every military conflict around the globe. Our fight is in Iraq and ensuring that we can help our ally secure their country and their borders. Russia has a vested interest in Syria, so they can bear that responsibility if they so choose.

2016-12-15T14:04:50-05:00 2016-12-15T14:04:50-05:00 SSG Private RallyPoint Member 2162331

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>The West is to a great extent responsible for many of the root causes of these conflicts. From drawing borders designed to maintain colonial empires, instead of helping peoples determine their own destiny to the exploitation of natural resources which is driving climate change. Drought and famine in the middle east is perhaps the single greatest driver behind all this conflict. <br /><br />We are the wealthiest most powerful nation in the world, at a minimum we should be on the ground helping refugees in these conflicts or even evacuating them to safe spaces where they can begin to rebuild their lives.

2016-12-15T14:34:32-05:00 2016-12-15T14:34:32-05:00 Kim Bolen RN CCM ACM 2164282

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Major, on standing rock I fully support the Tribe, they are trying to protect their burial ground, water supply, and the way of life they were left with after we came through. On Aleppo, safe evacuation shall be almost impossible secondary to Assad &amp; Russia&#39;s persistant atrocitities towards humanity. Now, with Trump these activities shall end, as it is now humanitarian.

2016-12-16T08:38:18-05:00 2016-12-16T08:38:18-05:00 MSG Private RallyPoint Member 2167617

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>what I now about Aleppo is they are surrounded, they are being slaughtered, and the all being UN is useless, I feel very badly about this, they fought a good fight, the US is not the worlds police force, that is what the UN is for, maybe the UN needs to put on their big girl panties and do what is right, as far as the evacuations from the last video I saw not very well

2016-12-17T12:57:06-05:00 2016-12-17T12:57:06-05:00 PFC Stephen Eric Serati 2167890

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Russia must over see the Iranian and Assad forces to make sure Human Rights are in place.Order must be restored,rebuilding,infrastructure,hospital,power,security.All factions should come back to the table.What can be done to make Syria function for all.

2016-12-17T15:49:31-05:00 2016-12-17T15:49:31-05:00 2016-12-15T12:56:59-05:00