Muhammad Yahya Maktabi, a member of the Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC), highlighted the political impasse in Syria, emphasizing that the Assad regime, with support from its allies, is actively hindering any concrete progress in the political arena. Since the second Geneva round in early 2014, the regime has demonstrated little commitment to curbing the bloodshed and alleviating the suffering of the Syrian people, opting for a military approach that includes the use of internationally banned weapons.
Maktabi stressed that attempts to reintegrate the Assad regime into its surroundings are unlikely to succeed. This is because the regime’s economy heavily relies on the Captagon drug trade, with international reports indicating its control of 80 percent of this illicit industry. Operating beneath the cover of the regime, drug trade networks, manufacturers, promoters, and smugglers remain entrenched, making engagement with the regime ineffectual in halting their activities.
Furthermore, Maktabi anticipated that an Arab declaration acknowledging the failure of communication with the Assad regime may be forthcoming. This is due to the regime’s diminishing value for Arab countries and its growing threat to the Syrian population.
Maktabi also reiterated the SOC’s clear stance against normalization with the Assad regime. He emphasized that such normalization would yield no positive outcomes, as the regime seeks to leverage it for financial support while potentially misappropriating these funds. Evidence of the Assad regime’s deteriorating internal situation can be observed in the ongoing protests in Suwayda, where promises of better conditions following Arab normalization remain unfulfilled.
Maktabi commended the peaceful demonstrations by the people of Suwayda against the Assad regime, recognizing their desire to oust the tyrannical government and embark on a journey toward healing and rebuilding Syria’s future with the participation of all its citizens. He stressed that this protest movement sends a strong message both to the Syrian people and the international community, emphasizing the necessity of removing the Assad regime as a significant obstacle to the country’s return to normalcy and stability.
(Source: SOC’s Media Department)
