An official in the Syrian Coalition said that the mass forced displacement taking place in the Damascus suburb of eastern Ghouta is a “war crime” as he condemned Russian’s major role in these crimes.
Secretary of the political committee Mohammed Yahya Maktabi said that regime forces, the Iranian militias, and Russian air force are killing civilians, targeting popular markets, residential areas and public facilities and bombing hospitals, medical centers, and rescue workers.
Maktabi pointed out the Assad regime’s onslaught on eastern Ghouta was clearly aimed at the mass forced displacement of its local residents to change the demographic landscape in the Damascus suburbs. “This is a full-fledged war crime. The international community must no longer condone it or let the perpetrators escape punishment.”
Maktabi stressed that Moscow bears primary responsibility for these crimes as it strengthened the culture of rebellion against international legitimacy and UN resolutions. Russia also refused to implement the recently adopted international resolution 2401 demanding a ceasefire and the delivery of humanitarian aid to those in need.
Maktabi warned that the humanitarian tragedy unfolding in Syria will continue should the United Nations continue with its failure to assume its duty to protect civilians, hold war criminals accountable, chiefly among them Bashar al-Assad, and implement international resolutions. He underscored that the United Nations should take urgent action meeting the aspirations of the Syrian people for freedom and dignity. (Source: Syrian Coalition’s Media Department)