Press Statement
Syrian Coalition
Media Office
September 11, 2016
The Syrian Coalition condemns the heinous crime committed by the Russian air force which bombed a vegetable market in Idlib on Saturday while civilians were shopping for Eid. Over 85 civilians were killed in the attack.
The bombing of the market took place just hours after the announcement of a Russian-US backed cessation of hostilities agreement in Syria that is due to take effect on Monday. In addition to exposing the regime’s and its allies’ real intentions, the attack on Idlib casts serious doubts about the feasibility of the cessation of hostilities agreement as it was sponsored by the very side that deliberately carried out such a horrible massacre against the Syrian people.
Moreover, the timing of the attack clearly indicates that the perpetrators seek to leave the Syrian people and the armed opposition with no other option but to reject the agreement in order to be blamed for its failure.
This heinous massacre must not be met with the same lukewarm response the United Nations and the international community have repeatedly shown towards previous massacres by Russia and the Assad regime especially as the Russians pledged they would stop attacks on rebel-held areas as part of the CoH.
The Syrian Coalition emphasizes that that the criminal policies of Russia and the Assad regime will fail to bring the Syrian people to their knees, but instead will serve as a new incentive for them to close ranks. It will boost their determination to achieve the goals for which they have risen up. The Syrian people’s struggle for freedom, justice and dignity will continue regardless of the international community assuming its responsibilities.
In accordance with international conventions and treaties ratified to prevent impunity for war crimes, the Syrian Coalition assures the Syrian people that it will not accept any understandings or deals that allow war crimes against them to go unpunished, be it crimes by the Assad regime, its allied foreign militias, or by the Russian and Iranian invaders.
May our wounded recover, our detainees be free, and our fallen heroes rest in peace.
Long live Syria and its people, free and with honor.
