Syrian Coalition: Combating Terrorist Groups Begins With Deposing Assad

Nasr al-Hariri, Secretary General of the Syrian Coalition, said that “the statements made by Paulo Pinheiro, chairman of the International Commission of Inquiry for Syria, tally with the Syrian Coalition’s long-made affirmation that the Assad regime is the arch-terrorist and the main perpetrator of war crimes in Syria in violation of all international human rights laws. To stem the tide of terrorism in the region, the international community should address the root of the problem represented in the Assad regimen and its allies who allowed ISIS to grow and fester.” Hariri’s was commenting on Pinheiro’s confirmation that Assad regime “remains responsible for the majority of the civilian casualties, killing and maiming scores of civilians daily,” describing killing “from a distance” by shelling and aerial bombardment and “up close at checkpoints and in its interrogation rooms.” Hariri stresses that the atrocities committed by the Assad regime are unsurpassed in their scale and enormity, as it has killed 300,000 people, arrested about 225,000 more, injured and maimed over a million and left more than 50,000 with permanent disabilities. Stemming the tide of terrorist organizations, including Hezbollah and other sectarian militias that support the Assad regime, and to stop the violations and crimes committed by the Democratic Union Party (PYD) and other extremist groups in Syria, requires fighting the Assad regime as it is the main source of terrorism. Pinheiro’s statements may not mean that the international coalition being assembled to fight ISIS will target the Assad regime, but excluding it from this coalitions is clear evidence of its criminality and that it cannot be a partner in the international coalition against ISIS.” Al Hariri pointed out that the Syrian Coalition has always maintained that a comprehensive solution to the Syrian conflict must begin with deposing the Assad regime and then fighting the terrorist organization.” (Source: Syrian Coalition)