Why no safe zone in Syria, yet? 5 complications

The idea of a safe zone for refugees in Syria was first proposed several months ago, but the flood of people entering Turkey – as many as 5,000 a day for the past 10 days – has ratcheted up the pressure for such a zone’s creation.
The UN refugee agency announced on Aug. 28 that as many as 200,000 Syrians may seek refuge in Turkey alone. Turkey says its threshold is 100,000, and it is leading the call for a safe zone so that Syrians can safely remain inside Syria.
But it’s complicated and carries risks that make the international community hesitant to implement it. Here are some complications:

- Ariel Zirulnick, Staff writer

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A Syrian refugee woman carries her infant while washes the family clothes at Zaatari refugee camp, in Mafraq, Jordan, on Aug. 29. (Mohammad Hannon/AP)

1. It is a big promise to make.

By creating a safe zone, whether under the auspices of the United Nations or with a coalition of countries, the parties involved are vowing to provide safety, and committing to do whatever it takes to maintain it. “Whatever it takes” can be a slippery slope that could draw other countries fully into Syria’s conflict.