President of the Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC), Salem al-Meslet, visited the village of Gurkan in rural Afrin and met with its residents and dignitaries to check up on the conditions in the village.
Al-Meslet was accompanied by members of the SOC’s political committee and General Assembly, commanders of the Syrian National Army (SNA), representatives of the Syrian Interim Government (SIG) and local councils.
He called on locals who were forced to leave their villages to return, especially as the PKK terrorist militants were forced out of the area and the living conditions improved.
Al-Meslet stressed the need for unity to improve stability in the region and repair the damage caused by the PKK terrorist militia. He stressed the need for creating the appropriate conditions for the return of all citizens who were used as human shields by the PKK during their retreat from Afrin.
Al-Meslet pointed out that SIG is seeking to step up services projects in the region and rehabilitate the infrastructure so as to improve the living conditions and create job opportunities.
Moreover, he stressed that the SOC is keen to uphold the rights of all Syrians as he praised the work of the Committee for the Redressing of Grievances and its swift handling of the problems and disputes presented to it as well as its efforts to restore the rights and support the oppressed.
For their part, the local dignitaries and mayor, Farid Omar, welcomed the SOC’s delegation as they stressed the importance of enhancing institutional work, presenting a real alternative to the institutions of the Assad regime, preventing abuses and holding wrongdoers accountable. They called for the SOC and SNA to form a body to receive complaints.
Commander in the SNA’s Second Corps, Major Muhammad Rahmoun, talked about the measures the SNA is taking to prevent abuses against the local people and hold accountable those responsible for any wrongdoing. He stressed that the SNA is making tremendous efforts to control security, preserve the rights of citizens, and confront the terrorist operations being carried out by the PKK terrorist group targeting the lives and security of civilians. (Source: SOC’s Media Department)
