Press release
Syrian Opposition Coalition – Syria
Department of Media and Communications
August 16, 2020
Today marks the fifth anniversary of one of the most horrible war crimes committed by the regime against the people of eastern Ghouta. The crime took place when Assad regime’s jets carried out six airstrikes on a popular market in the town Douma, killing and injuring dozens of people as well as causing widespread damage to the town.
At least 114 deaths were documented with their full names, while over 500 were injured. Witnesses reported that airstrikes targeted the cemetery during the burial despite the presence of the UN Director of humanitarian operations in Damascus at that time.
It was a premediated crime in view of its timing. The attack targeted the market during the rush hours to cause the largest possible number of casualties. While failing to break the will of the Syrian people, the crime exposed the failure and inaction of the international community and its unwillingness to fulfill their pledges.
The crimes of the regime and its backers will not be subject to the statute of limitations. It is our duty to document these crimes, while it is the responsibility of the international community and human rights organizations to hold the perpetrators accountable; achieve justice; and refer these atrocities to the International Criminal Court.
It is imperative that the United Nations, UN Security Council and major actors shoulder their responsibilities with regards to the situation in Syria. Action must be taken to ensure enforcement of UN resolutions; bring about a political solution in accordance with the Geneva Communique of 2012; and refer the war crimes taking place in Syria to the International Criminal Court.
