President of the Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC), Hadi Al-Bahra, and his accompanying delegation held a meeting with Syrian organizations and associations in the Turkish city of Mersin on Tuesday to discuss cooperation mechanisms between them and the Syrian SOC, the Syrian Interim Government, and their affiliated institutions.
The SOC delegation comprised members of the political committee Jihad Marai, Salim Al-Khatib, and Abdel Nasser Hasso, as well as members of the general assembly Fadi Ibrahim, director of the SOC’s office in Mersin, and Abdel Moneim Junaid. They engaged with various organizations, including the Faluka Al-Hurriya Association, the Al-Baraka Association, the Sharia Students Association, the Sanabel Al-Rahma Association, the Maharat Association, the Future Syria Association, and the Al-Fajr Charitable Forum.
During the meeting, Al-Bahra provided an overview of the latest developments in the political process, hindered by the policies of the Assad regime and its allies. He highlighted the efforts of the Syrian Negotiations Commission to revitalize the process. Al-Bahra addressed the challenging conditions faced by the Syrian people both within and outside the country. He noted the decreasing levels of international humanitarian support amid the emergence of other crises, leading to a decline in countries fulfilling their pledges. This situation poses a threat to the lives of refugees and displaced persons, placing significant burdens on Syrian organizations and associations
Emphasizing the importance of expanding participation, cooperation, and coordination for the advancement of northern Syria, Al-Bahra underscored the significance of collaboration among civil society organizations, associations, the SOC, interim government, and their affiliated institutions. Such collaboration, he argued, would alleviate the suffering of Syrians and promote sustainable development in liberated areas.
Al-Bahra also stressed the need to support small initiatives and projects in liberated areas to enable Syrians to secure their basic needs independently of aid. He commended the educational and craft programs conducted by the Faluka Al-Hurriya Association for girls and women, expressing his appreciation during a visit to a mosaic painting workshop.
Acknowledging the constant progress in liberated areas despite existing challenges, Al-Bahra called for collective efforts to confront these challenges and contribute to improving the living conditions in these areas through coordinated practical plans, with each participant leveraging their abilities, capabilities, and areas of expertise.
Representatives of Syrian associations in Mersin highlighted the presence of 13 Syrian associations providing various social, humanitarian, and relief services to Syrians in Mersin and northern Syria. Notably, the Faluka Al-Hurriya Association, founded in 2012, has been actively engaged in northern Syria, delivering relief aid, supporting education, and providing over 600 jobs for Syrians in Türkiye. Addressing challenges faced by these organizations, especially in northern Syria, they stressed the urgent need to facilitate the export of agricultural and manufactured materials through Türkiye, as well as the facilitation of commercial movement to support food security and secure job opportunities for citizens.
(Source: SOC’s Media Department)
