Vice President of the Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC), Oqab Yahya, said that the SOC has achieved a remarkable progress in the essence of its mission and objectives as a representative of the Syrian people.
In an interview with the local Shaam News Network, Yahya said that the essence of the SOC’s current work is to establish effective partnership with all components of the Syrian people. He added that while these efforts are intensifying, criticism of the SOC has decreased in recent months. He acknowledged the existence of legitimate demands for reform, adding that the SOC is seeking to meet these demands. He also said that some of these demands are beyond the SOC’s ability and capabilities.
Yahya pointed out that the SOC is going through a “period of revitalization,” adding that the Committee of National Dialogue has been formed to reach out to the various components of the Syrian people and to build constructive alliances under the motto of “national unity” with the aim of reaching political and social partnership with everyone.
He also clarified that the Committee of National Dialogue will expand its meetings to include parties, bodies and personalities until reaching a “broad consultative meeting” to discuss the current reality, prospects, and what can be done in various fields.
Yahya said that the SOC has a “clear plan for establishing partnership,” stressing that the SOC’s political committee is seeking to interpret the meaning of partnership in a way that suits all components through which we are seeking to restore the Syrian people’s confidence in the SOC.”
With regard to the eastern region and its strategic importance, Yahya said: “The eastern region may constitute a gateway to the new Syria. The people of the region are the ones best suited to manage it. The presence of the PYD militia will not prevent us from working with people of the region.”
Moreover, he stressed that the Kurdish National Council “agrees with us about the PYD’s violations, hundreds of which have been documented against the population of the region, chiefly the demographic change and the imposition of ideology-based educational curricula.”
Yahya pointed out that the SOC’s current goal is to communicate with the people of the region to reach real representation that represents this region.
With regards to rumors about the SOC’s intention to hold negotiations with the PYD militia, Yahya said: “Years ago, the US advised us to conduct discussions with this militia. We made it clear that this militia, its violations, and its relations with the terrorist PKK group and with the Assad regime are all reasons that prevent us from holding any dialogue with it.” (Source: SOC’s Media Department)
