President of the Syrian Coalition Abdurrahman Mustafa said that the Assad regime would be defeated if its forces attacked Idlib province as he stressed that the Free Syrian Army groups are ready for any potential attack. He pointed out that Turkey is playing an important role in averting any potential attack by the Assad regime.
Mustafa said that the Coalition is well aware of the seriousness of the threats being issued by the Assad regime and Russia. He noted that the Coalition is making constant contacts with friends and partners to avert danger away from Idlib as well as to revive the political process and negotiations. “The goal of the threats to attack Idlib and all previous military operations was to hinder the political process and prevent the implementation of international resolutions calling for a comprehensive political transition in the country,” he said.
Mustafa pointed out that the bloody military solution is still the Assad regime’s only option. “We are preparing for all scenarios as we reaffirm our commitment to political solution. Despite the plans it is preparing, the Assad regime knows well it will risk losing all what it achieved through the killing and mass forced displacement over the past years if it goes ahead with the battel for Idlib.”
Moreover, Mustafa stressed that Idlib will remain safe as the Free Syrian Army groups in the province have been preparing themselves for a while. “The people of Idlib and those who were displaced to it will not go anywhere. They will stick to their land and will defend it in the face of anyone who tries to target them.”
Mustafa underscored that the battle of Idlib “will turn against the Assad regime and its allies.” He stressed that “the FSA groups are not seeking a battle, but they will confront any aggression with all their capabilities. This time things will be different from all the previous ones, a fact that the Assad regime and its allies are well aware of.”
With regards to Turkey’s efforts to prevent any possible military operation in Idlib, Mustafa noted that “Turkey is playing a pivotal role in confronting the plans of the Assad regime and its allies.” He said: “All spectra of the Syrian people are looking for a more effective role by Turkey to reduce tension and pave the way for a serious political track leading to political transition.”
Moreover, Mustafa said that the international community bears primary responsibility for any potential attack on Idlib. He called on the United Nations to defend its resolutions and protect Syrian civilians, stressing the need for all major players to exert firm pressure on the Assad regime and its allies to ensure the implementation of international resolutions, most importantly the Geneva Communique of 2012 and UN Security Council resolution 2254. (Source: Syrian Coalition’s Media Department)
