Forum: Arab League Issue: The Question of Rebuilding War-torn Territories in the Arab World Name of Writer: Ziyad Hamed / Nasser Al-Khamees Position: Co-Chair / Main Chair
Abstract
The Arab world spans over 22 countries with a combined area of 5 million square miles and a population of 423 million people - as of 2019 -. The lives of the people varies from state to state, some living lavishly, while others in very destitute conditions.
Description of the Issue
It is no surprise that the Arab world has went through many periods of violence and conflict, and with that violence and conflict comes the destruction and dismantling of homes, cities, and infrastructure. One of the unfortunate consequences of war is the collateral damage that civilians and their cities undertake. Conflicts in countries such as Yemen, Syria, and Iraq (including others) have led to entire cities being leveled; they essentially become ghost towns. Homelessness is not the only issue that is caused by wartime collateral damage; the even bigger issue is the destruction of infrastructure. Functioning plumbing, electricity, and water supply are essential in protecting and aiding innocent civilians that have been displaced by war. They become even more essential when the threat of disease and epidemic looms by.
Glossary
1. Infrastructure: The basic physical and organizational structures and facilities (e.g. buildings, roads, power supplies) needed for the operation of a society or enterprise.
2. Collateral damage: Any death, injury, or other damage inflicted that is an unintended result of military operations. 3. Epidemic: a widespread occurrence of an infectious disease in a community at a particular time.
History of the Issue
In the last few decades, the Arab world has seen numerous wars, conflicts, and destruction.
Timeline:
1948- Arab Israeli conflict
1952 Egyptian Revolution
1956 Suez Conflict
1967 Six-Day War
1973 Yom-Kippur War
1978- Turkish-Kurdish conflict
1979 Grand Mosque Seizure
1980-1988 Iran-Iraq War
1990-1991 Gulf War
1998 Operation Desert Fox
2008 Lebanon Conflict
2009-2015 South Yemen Insurgency
2011- Yemen Crisis
2011- Syrian Civil War
2011-2014 Egyptian Conflict
2014-2017 Iraqi Civil War
2015- Yemen Civil War
This is a brief summary, but the list goes on. With each conflict leaving a bigger and bigger casualty list.
Current Situation
With tensions across the Arab world constantly rising, war-torn countries are continually damaged. Moreover, 22 of the 38 “UN endangered cultural heritage sites” are located in the
Middle East. The most prominent examples of this destruction can be seen in Syria, Iraq, and
Yemen. In Syria, most of the major cities have suffered great structural damage, with Aleppo,
Damascus, and Homs being the most damaged. According to UNOSAT, as of 2017, there are over 109,000 damaged structures in Syria. 37% of these structures are moderately damaged,
35.3% are severely damaged, and 27.7% are completely destroyed. In Iraq, the city of Mosul has been practically leveled, and many historical relics and artifacts in the ancient city of Nimrud have been completely destroyed or looted by ISIS back in 2016. In Yemen, the war between Saudi
Arabia and the Houthi Rebels has decimated the country and sparked a humanitarian crisis.
UNICEF has been able to provide aid to displaced citizens, however, airstrikes in the region have damaged or destroyed UNICEF warehouses, sanitation centers, and water stations. This decimation of infrastructure has created a ticking time-bomb in Yemen. What remains of the country is highly susceptible to a disastrous cholera outbreak that could easily wipe many civilians.
Possible Solutions
The ideal solution to stopping the destruction of Arab nations is stopping these conflicts altogether, but that is easier said than done. Instead, nations must incrementally work on providing aid to societies in ruin through a steady supply of food, water, and medicine, building shelters and camps for displaced citizens, and initiating projects to rebuild parts of the destroyed cities. In addition to that, countries that launch attacks directed at cities, civilians, or aid/relief programs must be held accountable for their war crimes. A war is to be fought between the military of one country and the other; collateral damage must be minimized.
Notes to the Delegates This topic might come off as very general or vague, but in the interest of keeping the debate fun and fruitful for everyone in the commission, I suggest that all of you try to creatively think of solutions that will stand out from the rest.
Bibliography
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