Rebel Advances throughout Syria Compelled Assad Regime to Accept Homs Truce

Mohammad Khair Al-Wazir, member of the political committee, said that “the rebels’ advances in Homs, especially in the neighborhood of Jub al Jandali, and the car bomb explosions in the regime-held areas in Homs, forced the Assad regime to accept the terms of the truce. “This is the first agreement that can be called a truce, unlike other truces which were more like surrender, especially in the district of Moadameyah in Rural Damascus. As trapped rebel fighters will pull out of Homs unharmed, they will surely come back and fight again.” Al-Wazir stresses that the Assad regime has “no credibility and cannot be trusted, as it has repeatedly breaches the agreements signed with rebels in many areas.” However, we believe the Assad regime will abide by this agreement for the sole aim of releasing the Iranian militants who were captured by fighters of the Islamic Front. We bow in respect to our people in Homs who showed legendary steadfastness despite the 700-day crippling siege and constant shelling. The Syrian Coalition has made every effort to lift the siege but knows it was not an easy task due to the indifference of the international community to the practices of the Assad regime.” Al-Wazir pointed out that during recent meetings with representatives of the U.S. State Department he said that “dying of siege and starvation is as harrowing as dying of chemical weapons. The use of starvation as a weapon of war is another war crime as it does not distinguish between children, the elderly or the fighters.” Furthermore, he wonders “how could the United States and Western countries force Assad to relinquish his stockpile of chemical weapons, while failing to force him to allow entry of relief aid and medical supplies to the areas under siege?” Regime forces and rebels reached a deal under the auspices of the Islamic Front and the United Nations, whereby rebel fighters pull out of the Old City of Homs with their weapons to opposition-held northern Homs. The deal also includes the release of abductees from both sides. (Source: Syrian Coalition)