Canadian-Syrian group expresses surprise, relief at U.S. airstrikes on Syria
TORONTO — A major Canadian-Syrian community group expressed surprise and relief Friday over airstrikes carried out by the U.S. in Syria, saying the move sparked hope that a turning point may have been reached in the country’s conflict.
Faisal Alazem, a spokesman for the Syrian Canadian Council, said Thursday’s missile strike was long overdue in light of the crimes against humanity perpetrated by the Syrian regime.
He said it’s “comforting” to see punitive measures taken against Syrian President Bashar Assad’s government because only then will there be incentive to change.
Alazem said he hopes the U.S. bombing — a response to a chemical weapons attack that killed more than 80 people — isn’t merely symbolic.