IN JULY 2012 I wrote regarding the claims being made that President Assad authorised Syrian fighter jets to fire on civilians.

One needed to be sure whether the Free Syrian Army was truly ‘civilian’ or representative of the Syrian people.

I suggested that the truth, while unpalatable to many who simply seek regime change for their own political ends, is still the first casualty of war.

In truth, the FSA is itself a militia made up of mercenaries armed and financially supported by countries who have a vested interest in changing the political complexion of Syria.

The outcome of a Syria, free from the rule of President Assad is far from clear - what we do know is that all the outward signs are that tribal conflict will continue to dominate the internal social agenda of the country.

It is also likely the region will split into smaller states each under the control of its majority tribe.

What is sure is that the West will face a period of continued uncertainty, increased refugee movements and extortionate costs, which will create lasting damage to the economies of several countries.

Civil war is not nice, but conflicts akin to Syria are to be found in a number of other sovereign states.

It behoves the West to exercise great caution in involving itself in other people’s affairs. What it should not do is identify with any particular insurgent group simply because it doesn’t like the incumbent head of state.

We have seen the outcome of regime change in Iraq, Egypt, Afghanistan and Libya.

There is no real proof that the deposing of any one of the vile leaders of these countries has led to them becoming better places in which to live, they are just different places in which to survive.

DES MORGAN Caraway Drive, Swindon