The Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC) held a commemorative event at the Cultural Center in Azaz, situated in the Aleppo countryside, this Tuesday, marking the eleventh anniversary of the Queiq River Massacre. This atrocious crime, carried out by forces loyal to the Assad regime, targeted civilians in the Bustan al-Qasr neighborhood of Aleppo.
The event saw the participation of SOC members, ministers from the Syrian Interim Government, representatives from revolutionary and civil organizations, unions, associations, and eyewitnesses to the massacre. The eyewitnesses shared chilling accounts of the events and their involvement in recovering bodies from the river.
During the gathering, SOC member Asaad Allito delivered a speech, reaffirming the SOC’s unwavering commitment to holding the perpetrators accountable for the Queiq River Massacre and all the grievous crimes committed in Syria over the past 13 years. The overarching goal remains seeking justice for the victims and realizing the Syrian people’s aspirations for freedom, dignity, and democracy.
Allito underscored that the Queiq River Massacre stands as but one of numerous heinous crimes committed by the Assad regime, particularly against detainees. He depicted it as unequivocal evidence of the regime’s brutal and terrorist tactics against the Syrian people, who sought freedom or held dissenting political views.
Addressing the international community’s inaction, Allito lamented the failure of the United Nations and its organizations, notably the Security Council, to effect substantial progress in the political process. He argued that this persistent lack of action has empowered the Assad regime to commit further egregious violations against the Syrian people.
The Queiq River Massacre unfolded on January 29, 2013, shocking the residents of the Bustan al-Qasr district in Aleppo. Dozens of lifeless bodies lined the banks of the Queiq River after being dumped by Assad’s forces upstream in the city’s west. Over a period extending until March 13, 2013, residents recovered more than 200 bodies, including children.
The victims were discovered with hands and feet bound, bearing signs of torture, before meeting their tragic end with bullets to the head. Some had their heads shrouded in nylon bags, while others had duct tape affixed over their mouths and eyes. The majority of the bodies were freshly deceased, leaving an indelible mark on the collective memory of the Syrian people.
(Source: SOC’s Media Department)
