Bahra Calls For Coordination between the International anti-ISIS Coalition and the FSA

Hadi al-Bahra, president of the Syrian Coalition, calls on the international anti-ISIS coalition to support and coordinate with the FSA its battle against ISIS and the Assad regime, in an interview with the UAE newspaper Al Bayan. “The main reason behind ISIS’s rise is Assad’s tyranny and criminality which created the suitable environment for the extremist organizations to fester and grow. Before the Syrian uprising this organization was active only in Iraq, but it barely controlled a single village there. However, when it expanded into Syria it swept large swaths of lands in lighting speed, indicating a convergence of interests between Assad regime and ISIS. Pro-regime forces are now advancing on Aleppo while they are exposed to ISIS – further evidence of coordination between the two sides.” Bahra also stresses that “the FSA took the initiative and declared war on ISIS without consulting with other countries because we sensed the danger posed by this extremist organization early on. Even before the international anti-ISIS coalition existed, the FSA has been fighting on two fronts since the beginning of the year.” Bahra pointed out that “our friends support our vision for a political solution and full political transition of power that ensures restoring the legitimate rights of the Syrian people, the re-drafting of a new constitution and the election of the new political leadership. There is an international consensus that Assad cannot play any role in the future of Syria nor can he be a partner in fighting terrorism which he himself is one of its causes.” (Source: Syrian Coalition + Al Bayan Newspaper)