The President of the Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC), Hadi Al-Bahra, and his accompanying delegation convened with politicians representing multiple parties, independents, members of the Syrian Tribal Council, businessmen, influential figures, and representatives of Syrian civil society organizations and associations in the Turkish city of Mersin.
The SOC’s delegation, which included members of the political committee Jihad Mari, Salim Al-Khatib, and Abdel Nasser Hasso, as well as members of the General Assembly Fadi Ibrahim, director of the SOC’s Mersin office, and Abdel Moneim Junaid, engaged in discussions on the latest international and regional developments concerning the political process in Syria.
Al-Bahra outlined the far-reaching impact of these developments on Syrians within Syria and those residing in host countries. He emphasized the significance of the peaceful civil movement in Suwayda, expressing its alignment with the demands and aspirations of the Syrian people and its call for the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2254 (2015) as the sole sustainable political solution.
Addressing the dynamic nature of the Syrian revolution and its evolving impact, Al-Bahra underscored the necessity of changes in Syrian reality. He noted the Suwayda movement as a positive outcome and highlighted the economic challenges exacerbated by the regime’s corruption, hindering economic activity in regime-controlled areas. Al-Bahra asserted that reactivating the economy in these areas is contingent upon a political solution aligned with the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolutions 2254 and 2118.
Amidst challenging conditions and dwindling hope in international community commitment, Al-Bahra pointed out the growing trend of Syrians fleeing Syria and seeking asylum abroad. He emphasized the urgent need to improve the reality of liberated areas through the establishment of an independent judiciary, control of weapons, and ensuring security. Al-Bahra called for a concerted effort to stimulate economic processes and promote security and stability, asserting that these endeavors are crucial for Syrians to remain in their homeland and contribute to its rebuilding.
Al-Bahra highlighted the importance of strengthening security and stability in northern Syria to attract investments, create job opportunities, and enhance Syrians’ income levels. He stressed that the advancement of northern Syria is a national project requiring coordination between the SOC, interim government, local councils, civil society organizations, chambers of commerce and industry, trade unions, political parties, and experts.
The President of the SOC also emphasized that this change in Syrian reality could lead to a shift in major state actors’ policies towards Syria. He contended that a focus on effective policies, particularly those aligned with UN resolutions, could encourage support for reconstruction from sisterly and friendly countries.
During the meeting, Al-Bahra addressed questions from participants, including inquiries about economic advancement, transit movement regulations for Syrian products in neighboring countries, and the work plan and activity of the Syrian Negotiations Commission. The delegation provided insights into the challenges and efforts to overcome obstacles, underscoring the commitment to improving economic conditions in liberated areas.
In conclusion, the meeting was identified as the first in a series of periodic consultations with Syrians, forming part of broader efforts to change the Syrian reality and elevate the Syrian file to renewed global political attention.
(Source: SOC’s Media Department)
