President of the Syrian Coalition Anas Abdah categorically denied allegations that the Free Syrian Army and rebel fighters targeted civilians in the regime-held western parts of Aleppo during a meeting with the UN special envoy to Syria Staffan de Mistura in Geneva on Wednesday.
An opposition delegation headed by President Abdah concluded a two-day visit to Switzerland where they met with the Swiss State Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Yves Rossier, officials of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Director of the Geneva Center for Security Policy, Ambassador Christian Dussey and Secretary-General of the World Council of Churches, Olav Fykse Tveit.
During a meeting with De Mistura, President Abdah said the FSA and rebel fighters target only regime forces and the Iraqi Iranian-backed Popular Mobilization militias, emphasizing that the FSA groups are firmly committed to the safety and security of civilians everywhere in Syria.
President Abdah also denied allegations that the FSA and rebel groups have bombed schools, calling for an investigation into the bombing of vital civilian facilities such as schools and public markets. He stressed the need for the United Nations to take firm positions based on the results of those investigations.
President Abdah said that the statements and remarks made by the UN officials must be based on the results of careful investigations into attacks on civilians in Syria, urging the UN special envoy to press for investigating all attacks on civilians across Syria.
The Syrian Coalition delegation presented a report detailing the situation in the besieged areas across Syria to UN envoy de Mistura. The report explains how the Assad regime uses hunger, in addition to the bombing of hospitals, public markets, and civilian homes, as well as so-called local truces and evacuation deals to force civilians to leave their homes. (Source: Syrian Coalition)