President of the Syrian Coalition Abdurrahman Mustafa expressed support for any military operation aimed at fighting terrorist organizations and restoring stability to the country as this operation would allow the displaced people and refugees to return to their areas of origin. He reaffirmed that there is only a political solution to the Syrian crisis through UN resolutions.
In a special statement on Friday, President Mustafa said that the Syrian people continue to suffer at the hands of the Assad forces and other terrorist organizations, namely the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, Hezbollah, ISIS, Al-Nusra Front, and the PYD militia. He pointed out that any military operation to eliminate these organizations “will be welcomed and supported by us.”
“We are working with our Turkish ally to liberate all cities and towns from the control of terrorist forces,” President Mustafa said. He added: “The PYD militias had committed crimes against civilians in all areas over the past several years, such as murder, demolition of civilian homes, scorching of farmlands, seizure of property, arbitrary arrests, forced recruitment and the suppression of freedoms.” He noted that these crimes promoted civilians to reject the presence of the PYD militia as they staged many demonstrations demanding that these militias leave immediately.
President Mustafa underscored that all the Free Syrian Army groups stand ready to cooperate and participate in the upcoming operations being prepared for by the Turkish army. He noted that the areas east of the Euphrates River are part of the Syrian territory. Any military action is, therefore, fall within the scope of the work of the Free Syrian Army to defend civilians and preserve the territorial integrity of Syria. He stressed that these operations will not be targeted at any component of the Syrian people.
Moreover, President Mustafa said that the Free Syrian Army was founded on national, non-sectarian or non-ethnic grounds as it comprises fighters from all components and segments of the Syrian society. He said: “It is no secret that this army receives significant logistical support from the Turkish Republic as both share common national interests and security concerns.”
President Mustafa pointed out that at the core of these interests and concerns is seeking to confront all separatist projects in Syria and to combat terrorism in all its forms. “We share this view with the Turkish Republic as separatist projects and terror constitute a direct threat to Turkey’s national security as well as to Syria’s territorial integrity and unity.”
“Our ultimate goal is to free the Syrian people from tyranny and to get rid of all forms of terrorism,” President Mustafa said. He stressed that the Syrian Interim Government stands ready to work in all areas which will be cleared of terrorist elements in order to set up civilian administration and reactivate the services institutions in these areas. (Source: Syrian Coalition’s Media Department)