The Syrian Opposition Coalition’s (SOC) Department of Foreign Relations held a virtual meeting with envoys of major actors in Syria, chiefly among them the United States, the European Union, and Turkey. They meeting focused on the Assad regime and its backers’ recent military escalation in Idlib province, the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, and Russia’s recent claims about seeking the return of refugees.
SOC’s President Nasr Al-Hariri said that the SOC’s visit to the freed territories is part of the plan to transfer its activities to the liberated areas and be closer to more than five million civilians living there.
Al-Hariri thanked the countries that have been providing humanitarian support to those in need in Syria, stressing that the liberated areas are home to around four million IDP, of whom 1.5 million live in unofficial camps.
With the advent of winter, the needs and suffering of the IDP increase, especially in light of the outbreak of the coronavirus, Al-Hariri said. He called for providing the IDP with winter equipment, especially heating and insulation equipment as well as sanitation to help them cope with the harsh winter conditions.
Al-Hariri reaffirmed the SOC’s commitment to the Geneva Communique of 2012 and UN Resolution 2254 as well as to reaching a political solution that ends the suffering of the Syrian people and fulfills their aspirations for freedom, dignity and democracy.
President of the Syrian Negotiations Commission, Anas Abdah, gave an overview on the developments in the political process as he expressed his concern about the Assad regime and its backers’ ongoing attempts to disrupt the political process. He pointed out that the United Nations as well as friendly and sisterly states have been following the same approach since 2014 and reaching the same results.
Abdah stressed the need to start adopting new approaches that ensure an end the current gridlock and the implementation of the Geneva Communique of 2012 and UN Resolution 2254.
SOC’s Vice-president, Ruba Habboush, talked about the Assad regime and its backers’ latest military escalation and their violation of the ceasefire agreement by stepping up attacks on Idlib province, especially on the town of Ariha.
Member of the SOC’s Refugee Committee, Adnan Rahmon, talked about the conditions of the Syrian refugees, stressing that the return of refugees depends on the full implementation of UN Resolution 2254 and the creation of a safe environment. He stressed that the goal of the conference organized by the Russian Defense Ministry is to rehabilitate the murderous regime.
Coordinator of the SOC’s South Committee, Muhammad Qaddah, talked about the situation in southern Syria as he stressed that Russia did not honor its promise to force the Iranian militias out of the region.
Representative of the SOC’s Assistance Coordination Unit, Nasser Al-Mahawish, talked about the Unit’s preparations for the winter season, the general situation in the liberated areas, and the efforts to confront the coronavirus.
Minister of Health, Maram Al-Sheikh, called for supplying the hospitals with protective and testing tools to help stem the coronavirus, noting that shortages of medical supplies hinder the efforts to deal with the pandemic.
Head of the National Commission for Detainees and Missing Persons, Yasser Al-Farhan, talked about the arbitrary arrests that the Assad regime is still carrying out. He also talked about the situation of Syrian prisoners in Roumieh Prison in Lebanon in light of the coronavirus outbreak. He said that prisoners are being subjected to gross violations and threats of detaining and raping members of their families to extract the confessions. (Source: SOC’s Media Department)
