President of the Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC), Hadi Al-Bahra, and his accompanying delegation held a meeting with civil and revolutionary groups and bodies in the town of Tal Abyad in rural Raqqa. They also met with several local families residing in the region, including families who have returned after the town’s liberation. The delegation’s aim was to listen to their concerns and challenges, and to provide support for defending the values of the Syrian revolution and expressing their ideas.
The delegation included members of the political committee, namely Abdel Basset Abdel Latif, Abdulahad Astepho, and Muhammad Ali Issa, as well as SOC’s members Hussein Al-Raad, Muhammad Al-Hamdo, Mustafa Al-Hamida, and Hayel Al-Kalash, the Minister of Agriculture in the Syrian Interim Government.
During the meeting, the attendees discussed various issues faced by the region, including the Al-Zaidi area, which is home to around 14,000 people with unique economic conditions, particularly their reliance on rainfall for farming. The Minister of Agriculture addressed several questions and provided insights into the services offered by the interim government and the challenges in the health, education, and service sectors.
The civil groups highlighted the region’s dependence on agricultural work for 90% of its economy and requested support in obtaining seeds, pesticides, and fertilizers. They also emphasized the need for support in the education sector, including solving the issue of dropouts, furnishing schools, increasing teacher salaries, and ensuring recognition of preparatory and secondary certificates.
Challenges in the health sector were also discussed, including slow hospital referrals and the delivery of medications to those in need. Special attention was given to cancer patients, with approximately 80 cases requiring regular treatment and medication.
Al-Bahra expressed an understanding of the significant challenges faced by the region and its displaced population. He emphasized the need to unite efforts to improve the living conditions of people in the liberated areas.
Al-Bahra also stressed the importance of obtaining international recognition for degrees from the University of Aleppo to secure the future of Syrian youth and students. He discussed the possibility of opening branches of universities within the liberated areas, where their degrees would be internationally recognized. The delegation further deliberated ways to address people’s needs, improve conditions for returnees, develop liberated areas, and attempt to lift the siege imposed on the region.
Source: (Source: SOC’s Media Department)
