President of the Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC), Anas Abdah, met with a US delegation headed by the US Special Envoy for Syria, James Jeffrey and discussed with him the latest developments in Idlib province. President Abdah stressed the need to support Operation Spring Shield, the political and relief efforts, and the establishment of a safe zone in Syria’s northwest to protect civilians from the escalating crimes of Russia, the Assad regime, and Iranian militias.
President Abdah was accompanied with Head of the Syrian Negotiations Commission, Nasr al-Hariri, Co-chair of the Constitutional Committee Hadi al-Bahra, Coordinator of the Department of Foreign Relations, Abdulahad Astepho, and member of the political committee, Badr Jamous.
President Abdah indicated that the establishment of a safe zone would provide protection for civilians; allow the return of refugees, and restore security and stability in the region. He underscored the importance of Turkey’s role in protecting Syrian civilians and supporting the Syrian National Army in fending off the Russian onslaught and preventing further crimes. He said that Turkey has assumed its responsibilities, but it needs real support from Washington.
Moreover, President Abdah said that Russia, Iran, and the Assad regime understand only the language of force as a principle of negotiations, adding that the United States is capable of speaking with them in the same language. He noted that Russia and the Assad regime have violated all international resolutions and the ‘de-escalation zones’ agreements as they continue to bomb civilian homes and vital facilities such as hospitals with the aim of displacing the population and changing the demographic landscape of the region.
President Abdah also said that there is an opportunity today to come out with a unified position to put an end to the crimes of Russia, Iran and the Assad regime; establish a ceasefire; and revitalize the political process to fully implement UN Resolution 2254 and the Geneva Communique of 2012.
President Abdah thanked the US for its significant contribution to the provision of humanitarian aid to the displaced people. He called for increasing in the number of relief trucks being provided to the displaced people, indicating that the current amount of aid falls short of meeting the needs of the increasing number of the displaced people or coping with the worsening humanitarian disaster.
For his part, Mr. Jeffrey focused on his country’s full support for the Syrian people in all areas as he affirmed Washington’s readiness to support to the Syrian opposition. He pointed out that the US is in constant contact with Turkey in this regard and said the United States is studying options to provide additional support in Idlib.
Mr. Jeffrey stressed the importance of a strong, united, and empowered Syrian opposition that represents the Syrian people with all their components and demands.
Mr. Jeffrey said that the US administration announced it would step up humanitarian aid to contribute to alleviating the suffering of the displaced people and meeting their urgent needs. He made it clear that this aid does not offer a solution as he stressed that the solution comes through a ceasefire and the resumption of the UN-led political process to implement UN Security Council Resolution 2254 and support the work of the Constitutional Committee. (Source: SOC’s Media Department)
