The opposition’s High Negotiations Committee (HNC) has warned that the “cessation of hostilities” agreement in Syria is nearing total collapse, adding that the latest developments on the ground in Syria hinder the continuation of the political process and put the credibility of the sponsors of the political process at stake. The HNC has called for real pressure on the Assad regime to force it to stop violating the truce.
In a statement issued by the HNC’s general coordinator Riad Hijab earlier today, and addressed to the UN Security Council and the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the HNC focused on the need for the Assad regime to comply with international law and UN Security Council resolutions. It described this pressure as vital for going through with the political transition process in line with the Geneva Communiqué of 2012 and the UN Security Council resolutions, most importantly resolution 2254 of 2015.
The HNC statement pointed out that the Assad regime, backed by Russia and the Iranian and Hezbollah militias, has not stopped the killings against the Syrian people despite agreeing to the cease-fire agreement, now in its 35th day.
The statement mentioned the horrible massacre that took place on Thursday in eastern Ghouta near Damascus where around 33 civilians were killed in regime air strikes. The HNC said it has been compiling daily reports about the regime’s violations of the truce. It added that the reports compiled by the UN “White Hats” clearly show that the regime and its allies have been violating the truce agreement since day one without fear of the consequences. (Source: Syrian Coalition)
