President of the Syrian Coalition Anas Alabdah said that a unified common position has been developed across the political opposition spectrum echoing the unity of the armed opposition on the ground which launched an offensive to break the weeks-long siege on Aleppo.
Alabdah was speaking at a meeting with General Coordinator of the opposition’s High Negotiations Committee (HNC) Riad Hijab as well as representatives of rebel and FSA groups in the Turkish capital Ankara on Monday.
Conferees reaffirmed commitment to the revolution’s guiding principle; namely the unity of the Syrian people and territorial integrity of Syria, stressing that there must be no role for Assad in any possible transitional period or in Syria’s future.
Alabda and Hijab also met with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu on Monday to discuss the latest developments in Aleppo. The opposition stressed the need to support political efforts aimed at forcing the Assad regime to end the siege on the liberated districts in Aleppo.
In an interview with Al-Jazeera TV channel on Monday, Alabdah said that the Ankara meeting with the HNC and representatives of the armed opposition discussed the latest field developments in Aleppo as well as political developments represented in the negotiations process in Geneva. The attendants also discussed the need to meet the needs of rebel and FSA groups operating in Aleppo, in terms of logistical and political support.
Alabdah added that the Syrian Coalition will continue to press for increased support for the armed opposition until the liberation of the entire city of Aleppo, adding that he made several contacts with supporting countries in this regard.
“Russia is directly complicit in war crimes being committed in Aleppo and Russian forces are actively engaged in the besiegement of the city and the enforced displacement of its residents,” Alabdah said. He referred to plans by Russia, the Assad regime and allied foreign militias to force over 350,000 civilians out of their homes in the liberated parts of Aleppo.
Alabdah pointed out that Russia committed a big mistake on Thursday when it shamelessly informed the International Syria Support Group (ISSG) of its plans to open four “humanitarian corridors” trapped residents to exit the besieged parts of the city. Alabdah slammed Russia’s warnings that those who refuse to leave the besieged parts will be treated as terrorists.
“The arrogance shown by Russia, unfortunately, was not met by an appropriate response by the ISSG members whose eerie silence over such a proposal can only be interpreted as complicity in this de facto ultimatum to civilians in Aleppo.”
Alabdah noted that the ISSG members, especially the United States, have so far failed to make a stand against Russia’s actions in Syria.
Alabdah concluded his remarks by praising the unity shown by the armed opposition groups when they launched a surprising large-scale offensive to break the siege on Aleppo, but also to liberate the entire city. (Source: Syrian Coalition)
