The situation in Syria deteriorates by the day. Many people are being killed by the Assad regime as the army continues to shell homes and residential areas in different provinces around the country. At the last count, the death toll was 7,500 in the year-long uprising, but the real toll could be much higher.

For months, Syrians have tried to tell the world that they have been shelled in their homes and shot at by snipers. Over here, in the West, it was obvious that killings were taking place, but no one realised just how bad it was until a handful of journalists managed to sneak into the country to cover the conflict.

The world was given a taste of just how bloodthirsty the mild-mannered ophthalmologist’s regime can be, but the reports soon stopped as some were badly injured and others killed. This week, another crew from Turkey went missing. But two French photographers managed to get out of the country and send some of the most brutal photographs that the world has seen to date. Chilling stories were heard about how Syrian troops indiscriminately opened fire on residential buildings. One badly-injured woman who was photographed and interviewed told of how she lost her husband and two children as a tank opened fire on their home.

The world has expressed solidarity with the Syrian people, but there are a number of major issues which could cause the Syrian uprising to fail. The first is the blind loyalty of the army towards the Alawite-controlled government. The second is the fact that Syrian rebels are not being helped, as were the Libyans. The third is the sectarian split. Syria is home to Sunni, Shia and Alawite Muslims as well as Christians and other denominations. The fourth, and most overlooked, aspect is that there are already cracks showing in the Syrian Opposition Council. It had already been accused of being out of touch with the struggle on the ground, being largely made up of exiles. But now, tensions are even deeper. Two prominent members have resigned because they believe that if the Council does prevail, Syria would be swapping one autocratic regime with another.

But while all this holds true, people are dying every day. Tens of thousands of Syrians fled their country for neighbouring Turkey and Jordan. Now the army has mined the borders – a tragedy waiting to happen. As we have seen in other conflicts, landmines do not only cause immediate heartache, they continue to kill and maim for decades after being planted. All the while, people are being shelled in their homes and shot at in their streets and while they mourn their dead.

So far, the West and the Arab League have condemned the regime and accused it of crimes against humanity, but there has been no military intervention, nor is there likely to be any in the foreseeable future. The truth is that it would be a far bigger undertaking for a coalition strike on Syria. It’s air defences are sound, and it also has some 450 aircraft of its own. The cost, in terms of lives and hard cash, would just be too much for any Western leader to justify. The other issue is the sectarian powder keg which Syria is. We have mentioned the various denominations and there is bad blood between them. There is also great animosity towards Israel and there are a large number of religious extremists in the country.

But all the while, families and children are dying – every day.