"Fighting ISIS in this way is merely managing the symptoms of the real problem. The real problem is the conflict in Syria."
Rami Nakhla
Speaking Tuesday on WNPR's Where We Live, Rami Nakhla, a noted Syrian peace activist, said the Syrian Civil War started as a pro-democracy uprising, but has since changed, facilitating the rise of groups like the so-called Islamic State.
"I know some people who used to be non-violent activists, who used to give the military forces, the secret police ...water during the summer," Nakhla said. "Now they are fighting with radical Islamic groups. They are accepting beheading people."
Nakhla, who uses social media to advocate for peace in Syria, is currently living in Connecticut and is a Yale World Fellow.
Nakhla said he doesn't believe Americans should arm Syrian rebels. "I do believe there are moderate rebels in Syria," he said, "but I think this is not the way we should go. Fighting ISIS in this way is merely just managing the symptoms of the real problem. The real problem is the conflict in Syria. We have to put an end to the violent conflict, then we can address the regime. We have to invest in the future."
According to a UN report released this summer, more than 190,000 people have died so far in the Syrian Conflict.