Syrians deserve more than our pity

SYRIA is once again the scene of a sickening war crime.

At least 58 people, including 11 children, were killed yesterday in a chemical attack delivered via airstrike.

Shocking images from the aftermath show victims choking and foaming at the mouth in the northern city of Khan Sheikhoun.

Decent people around the world have been horrified by events in Syria and frustrated by the international community’s impotence.

The great tragedy is that it didn’t have to be this way. When the protests against president Bashar al-Assad began in 2011 Sunnis, Shias, Christians and Kurds all took part. Together, they almost removed the tyrant.

But just as Assad looked finished, Russia intervened. That has been as devastatingly effective as it is unconscionable.

There were times when the West could have taken action and did not – most notoriously when the UK Parliament refused to approve militiary action in 2013.

But there were other opportunities to establish a no-fly zone, set-up a haven for civilians or even properly arm the rebels.

Western politicians held back because of the legacy of Iraq. This is unlikely to change.

Barack Obama made perhaps his biggest error in office by being so weak on Syria.

Yet at least his administration knew Assad had to be removed before there could be peace. Donald Trump seems content to let him remain.

There are now 13.5million people needing urgent humanitarian assistance inside Syria, while five million refugees have fled the country.

Meanwhile, children are barrel bombed or attacked with chemical weapons. And the global community is no closer to finding a way to end their suffering.