The Syrian Coalition has questioned the Assad regime’s ability to rein in the Iranian-backed foreign militias following announcement by the United States and Russia that an agreement had been reached on a new “cessation of hostilities” in Syria, which is planned to take effect on Saturday.
At a meeting with Spain’s Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Ignacio Ibanez in the Spanish consulate in Istanbul on Tuesday, Vice-president of the Syrian Coalition Nagham al-Ghadri described many of terms of the agreement as “ambiguous,” and that the agreement failed to mention the foreign militias fighting alongside al-Assad or the PYD militia.
Ghadiri stressed the need to put pressure on the Assad regime to allow the delivery of humanitarian aid to besieged areas and release detainees. She reiterated the Syrian Coalition’s stance that it is essential to separate the humanitarian and political tracks, adding that humanitarian issues are non-negotiable.
Earlier today, the political committee met with deputy head of New Zealand Mission in Turkey Ed McIsaac to discuss the cease-fire agreement and the fight against terrorism. The political committee emphasized that the Assad’s survival would impede political transition in Syria, fester chaos and contribute to the spread of terrorism in the region and beyond. (Source: Syrian Coalition)