The Syrian Opposition Coalition’s (SOC) political committee held its periodic meeting on Thursday under the chairmanship of Nasr Al-Hariri. It discussed the results of the bombings being carried out by the Assad forces and their backers in northwestern Syria and the latest developments in the efforts to confront the coronavirus pandemic.
The SOC’s Military Liaison Office gave an overview on the latest on the ground and military developments as well as the crimes and violations being committed by the regime and its backers in the liberated area. Participants stressed that the Syrian people are going through unspeakable suffering as a result of bombing and displacement, pointing out that the regime is trying to escape from internal crises and the political process by launching brutal military operations.
Members of the committee focused on developments in the health situation in Syria, namely the coronavirus outbreak in the liberated areas. They praised the measures being taken by the Syrian Interim Government as they stressed the need for support from the international community, international organizations, and friendly countries.
They also discussed the catastrophic health situation in the regime-held areas with reports of the death of hundreds of people as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and the regime’s insistence on denial. They said that the presence of Iranian militias contributed to the spread of the disease.
Furthermore, they discussed the regime’s continued refusal of all international calls to release detainees and disclose the fate of the forcibly disappeared. They pointed out that the SOC continues with its efforts to ratchet up pressure on the regime in this issue.
The participants reviewed the reports documenting the PYD militia’s violations in the areas east of the Euphrates River and its attempts to seize the assets of the Syrian people. They stressed that neglecting the region would plunge Syria into more chaos and devastation.
Moreover, the discussions included the meetings the SOC has recently held with social components in the region with the aim of preventing further escalation of the situation.
They underscored the need to work on forcing the PKK-linked terrorist groups out of all Syrian territory. They pointed out that this terrorist organization is alien to Syria, adding that any solution that does not take the demands of the indigenous people into account are doomed to failure; risk fueling the bloodshed; would help Iran consolidate its influence in the region; and risk a resurgence of ISIS.
They also reviewed the latest developments in the political process as they reaffirmed their support for the Constitutional Committee and the ongoing preparations by the Syrian Negotiations Commission for the third session of the talks due on August 24 in Geneva.
Participants also stressed the need to put an end to the suffering of the Syrian people by addressing the root causes of the crisis in Syria and reach a political solution through the complete implementation of UN Resolution 2254 calling for the formation of a transitional governing body, the creation of a neutral, safe environment, and the holding of elections under UN supervision.
(Source: SOC’s Media Department)
