President of the Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC), Hadi Al-Bahra, participated in a special session on Syria during the 21st session of the Doha Forum on Sunday. The session, titled “Studying ways to solve the Syrian crisis,” featured key figures such as UN envoy to Syria, Geir Pedersen, French envoy Brigitte Curmi, British envoy Ann Snow, and researcher Charles Lister as the session moderator.
The participants emphasized the urgent need for a political solution to the protracted Syrian crisis, highlighting the immense challenges faced by the Syrian people over the prolonged period. The civilian population has endured horrific acts of violence, continuous bombing, besiegement, and chemical attacks, resulting in substantial loss of life and widespread destruction to infrastructure, homes, hospitals, and schools.
During the session, Al-Bahra asserted that the Assad regime has consistently obstructed proposed solutions and initiatives for a political resolution in Syria. He noted that the regime thrives on crises, actively creating and perpetuating them to justify its hold on power. Al-Bahra pointed to the Geneva Communique, which was announced in 2014, outlining a clear plan for a solution, which the Assad regime adamantly refused to heed, obstructing progress. He stressed that without international pressure on the Assad regime, its obstinacy, violence, and war against the Syrian people would persist.
Al-Bahra underlined that a sustainable solution in the country necessitates considering the demands of the Syrian people, leading to a political transition toward a democratic system that ensures justice and the departure of the regime. He cited the situations in Daraa and Suwayda as examples, cautioning that while the Assad regime may remain in power, the state of Syria has eroded and faces potential collapse.
Expressing concern over the humanitarian crisis in Syria escalating into an actual catastrophe, Al-Bahra urged the international community to find ways to prevent famine and a humanitarian catastrophe. He emphasized the need for international assistance in relief efforts in Syria.
UN envoy Geir Pedersen echoed the call for urgent international intervention in Syria, acknowledging that the political process had reached an impasse. He expressed hope for a swift change in the current situation, warning of the missed opportunity to end the Syrian conflict through negotiation if prompt action is not taken. Pedersen emphasized the importance of resuming the political process between Syrian parties with international support.
French envoy Brigitte Curmi stressed the necessity of broader political support and international cooperation to end the ongoing Syrian tragedy since 2011. She called for effective mechanisms to ensure the implementation of UN resolutions and hold the Assad regime accountable for evading these resolutions, especially as the political process faces a deadlock.
British envoy Ann Snow emphasized that the Syrian crisis continues, with an urgent humanitarian situation that requires immediate consideration. She highlighted the devastating effects of the crisis, including hundreds of thousands of deaths, the displacement of over 13 million, and widespread destruction in Syrian infrastructure and the economy, as the crisis enters its thirteenth year.
(Source: SOC’s Media Department)
