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Research group Orb International’s new survey suggests that 60% of the Syrian population would support “international military involvement in Syria”. However, the percentage drops significantly in regime-held areas – 11% in Tartus, 36% in Damascus – and rises sharply in rebel-controlled areas – 82% in Al Raqqah, 61% in Aleppo and 88% in Idlib. It also found out that only 35% Syrians believe that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who had reportedly won 90% of the vote when he was recently re-elected in a controversial poll, best represent their interests and aspirations.
The Syrian civil war, now over three years old, shows little sign of coming to an end. With current attention on extremist group Islamic State (IS), a paltry 4% said that they best represented their interests and aspirations, although the number rises to 24% in IS-controlled Al-Raqqah. Additionally, 9% felt the Free Syrian Army is what’s best for them, while 9% mention the Jabhat al-Nusra, a number which rises to 21% in Idlib.
According to Johnny Heald from ORB International, “This is a unique insight into public opinion in Syria. A majority of Syrians want international military involvement to help end the conflict and allow them to rebuild their livelihoods. They don’t believe the extremist groups best represent their views”.
The survey draws from face-to-face polls of 1014 Syrian adults in both opposition and government held governorates in 12 of the 14 regions in the war torn country. Fieldwork for the poll took place from 6th May to 29th May.
The Syrian civil war has also taken a major toll on daily life, the survey suggested. In the past six months, a significant 76% of people said that they had electricity shortages, 50% said that they had a shortage of food, 45% said they were short on medicine and 42% said they were short on water.
The poll also suggests that Assad is in a stronger position now than he was a year ago. When asked the question “how long do you think the current government can stay in power?” only 7% of people felt he would not be power in the next 12 months; a whopping 71% felt he will he will be in power for three years or more. A healthy 68% in rebel-held Aleppo agree that he will stay in power for at least another three years.
When asked if they trusted the electoral system, 38% said that they did, 44% said that they did not and 18% were undecided on the issue.
Click here for the full report.