Stranded Syrian evacuees wait to learn their fates

Thousands of Syrian civilians, promised safe passage out of the war zone, which had engulfed their homes, find themselves stranded at two transit points outside the city of Aleppo.

These people were willing to leave their homes and possessions for a chance to escape. Instead, they became the target of a suicide bomber who killed more than a hundred of them, including some 60 children.  

That terrorist also killed the deal between the two warring sides that would have allowed these people to leave.

One group lived in a rebel-controlled village; the other lived in a town claimed by the Syrian government. Both towns were besieged. A swap was arranged.

Now, because the attack killed soldiers as well as refugees, neither side can decide whether to take revenge or let the people head to safety.

So, they sit, or stand, or try to sleep in the buses or in tents, waiting for some word of their fates.

“We came from Kefraya and al-Foua under the exchange deal, but what has happened, I do not know, said one stranded evacuee. We want to explain to our government that we are the victims. I am praying that our government doesn’t forget us,” said an unidentified man.  

These poor people have become pawns in a bloody chess game.

They can only hope that someone with power remembers that these are human beings.

Not pawns, but people.