DISEC Erupts into a Clash Over Escalating Conflict in the Middle East  

By Khushi Lamichhane and Asmi Prasai, Chief Reporters of DISEC, TES News  

10 September 2024

In a dramatic and fiery session that stunned the dais panel, the DISEC committee was thrown into disarray today as allegations of converting arms shipments to active conflict zones sparked a bitter and intense debate. The session began with the passing of a resolution on the agenda, “Escalating Conflict in the Middle East.”

The uproar started when the delegate from the UK (Jasbin Adhikari), in a bold and unanticipated move, questioned Russia (Aayushma Lama), stating, “Russia has continued its arms sales and military support to various factions in the Middle East, contributing to the region’s humanitarian crisis. Isn’t it blatant hypocrisy for Russia to claim a role in stabilizing the region while fueling its destabilization through these destructive interventions?” The UK delegate (Jasbin Aadhikari) was unsatisfied with Russia's reply.

The delegate of Afghanistan (Dikschhya Lama) was then asked by the delegate of Sudan (Nayan Sharma) why Afghanistan had withdrawn from the Middle East. Was it to leave behind other countries and escape responsibility? In response, the Afghan delegate stated, “Afghanistan has already faced many conflicts; it doesn’t want to step into another war by taking sides. Rather than directly supporting one country, it remains neutral. Afghanistan has been involved in UN discussions to reduce the ongoing conflict.”

The chamber was immediately plunged into chaos when the delegate of Lebanon (Ansh Shrestha), seizing the moment, accused the delegate of Israel (Jenish Regmi), stating, “Israel’s war with Iran has also caused widespread damage in South Lebanon. What has Israel done to reduce the impact on other countries?”

Israel’s delegate (Jenish Regmi) replied, “Israel is talking with its neighbors as well as its allies about peace agreements. Being Iran's neighbor, it is common for damage to occur. However, Israel has never intended to attack or damage Lebanon.” How is it common to have damage? How can the delegate take wars, damage, and attacks so lightly? Why is the delegate of Israel downplaying the harm caused by them?” the Lebanese delegate (Ansh Shrestha) countered, their words laced with emotion.

The Israeli delegate explained, “Being a smaller country sharing a border with Iran, it is unfortunately common to experience some damage. Also, Israel supports projects aimed at reducing violence and building better understanding between both sides. These efforts are part of Israel's commitment to finding a peaceful solution to the conflict.”

“The Assad regime's brutal crackdown on peaceful protests during the Arab Spring escalated into a full-scale civil war, drawing in regional and international powers, which has fueled conflicts like the one in Yemen,” said the delegate of Yemen (Drishwant Subedi). The Yemeni delegate added that this activity has led to civilian deaths in both Syria and Yemen, showing that Syria doesn’t care about the lives of its own or other countries’ civilians.

As the debate progressed, the committee shifted focus to a moderated caucus on the role of foreign countries in causing instability in the Middle East.“The ongoing civil war in Syria, which began in 2011, has resulted in over 500,000 deaths and displaced millions, both internally and as refugees. The assault has caused protracted violence, leading to a humanitarian crisis affecting the entire region,” said the delegate of France (Binisha Nepal).

“Why was the British government trying to hide this? Are they scared of other countries discovering their ill acts and war crimes, or are they hiding so they can commit more?” asked the delegate of Syria (Jaden Tamang). The delegate of Yemen (Dristant Subedi) added that following the 2019 revolution, Sudan, in cooperation with the US, prioritized counterterrorism operations and arrested terrorist supporters and groups, thereby blocking Sudan’s connection with terrorists.

“The delegate believes that terrorists and civilians are not the same. Israel distinguishes between the two, but in conflict, civilians can tragically be harmed, especially when terrorists operate within civilian areas. Israel tries to target terrorists to defend its citizens while minimizing civilian losses,” said the delegate of Brazil (Ishan Sharma). The outcome of this debate will have significant implications for global security and the future of citizens, with the eyes of the world closely watching the proceedings at DISEC.