President of the Syrian Opposition Coalition, Nasr al-Hariri, held a virtual meeting with Turkish journalists and academics to discuss the latest developments in Syria. He gave an overview on the situation in Syria, namely the politically developments and the situation on the ground.
Al-Hariri stressed that the major development in Syria at present is the blockade that the Russian and Assad regime forces have recently imposed on parts of Dara’a and the Russian threats to launch military campaigns against the province.
Al-Hariri indicated that the northwest region of Syria is witnessing a grave military escalation by the Russian and Assad regime forces. He pointed out that Russia does not honor the de-escalation zone agreement signed with Turkey last year.
Al-Hariri also touched on the humanitarian issues and the need to have sustained humanitarian access through Bab al-Hawa border crossing. He pointed to real concerns that Russia will use its veto to prevent the delivery of humanitarian aid into the liberated areas.
Moreover, al-Hariri stressed that the problem of the PKK terrorist organization, along with its various franchises in Syria, is yet to be resolved as this group continues its terrorist operations against civilians. He cited the group’s recent attack on a hospital in Afrin, which killed 24 civilians.
With regard to the political process, al-Hariri said that prospects for a political solution are still closed due to the regime’s obstruction of the process and its disregard for UN resolutions, especially following the farcical presidential elections which were met with popular and international rejection.
The meeting, which is the third of its kind, stems from the SOC leadership’s keenness on holding periodic meetings with Turkish and foreign journalists and academics with the aim of clarifying the developments in Syria to the public opinion. (Source: SOC’s Media Department)
