The Foreign Relations Department of the Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC) received a delegation from the British Foreign Office to discuss the latest developments in Syria and the political process. The primary focus was on the dire conditions facing Syrian refugees in Lebanon and the forced deportations carried out by Lebanese authorities in violation of international laws and norms, leading to refugees being handed over to the Assad regime.
The meeting was attended by Abdulahad Astepho, Coordinator of the Foreign Relations Department, and Abdullah Kaddo, a member of the political committee, along with Elinor Labman, the political advisor for Syria at the British Embassy in Beirut, and Antonia Murray, the new officer for Syria at the British Embassy in Beirut.
Astepho addressed the recent measures taken by Lebanese authorities against Syrian refugees, particularly the deportations and pressure exerted to hand them over to the Assad regime. He warned of the grave consequences of these actions, citing past experiences where refugees returned to the Assad regime faced violence, torture, and even death. Astepho called on influential international powers to urgently seek a solution to this pressing issue.
Furthermore, Astepho highlighted the peaceful anti-regime movement in Suwayda, which has debunked the regime’s lies, namely the persistent claims of terrorist presence among protestors. He emphasized that the Suwayda protest movement has persisted for several months, continuing its peaceful demands for regime overthrow and political transition in line with UN Resolution 2254.
Kaddo addressed the ongoing violations committed by the PYD militia against civilians, citing the recent burning of offices belonging to the Kurdish National Council in Qamishli and several other towns.
(Source: SOC’s Media Department)
