In as statement issued today, the Syrian Coalition expressed its “willingness to send a delegation of technicians and workers in the field of humanitarian action from its Assistance Coordination Unit to study ways to allow safe passage for relief convoys from international humanitarian organizations, the United Nations, and the international Red Cross.” The statement was issued in response to media reports about the possibility of holding an international debate with the Russians on the subject of the delivery of relief aid to areas under siege by the Assad regime. The Syrian Coalition will discuss holding a meeting between representatives of its Assistance Coordination Unit with technical delegates from the Assad regime and the United Nations organizations. They also talked about the possibility of “the presence of a delegation from the Syrian Red Crescent to discuss the logistical and technical details with UN officials working in the humanitarian field in order to reach a binding international resolution for the Assad regime regarding this matter.” They added that “we want to emphasize to the international community that the delegation will not include political figures. However, until the issuance of this statement the Syrian Coalition has not yet received any formal or informal request, either directly or indirectly from the Russian side. “Lifting the siege and allowance of delivery of convoys of relief and humanitarian aid to the besieged areas is one of the most important objectives the Coalition is working to achieve” they stressed, adding that it “will continue to claim this legitimate and natural right in various ways in order to alleviate the suffering of our people as part of our commitment to raise our voice to expose the barbaric practices of the regime.” The statement also said that the Syrian Coalition has “demanded repeatedly, via its statements and contacts with international organizations, the lifting of the siege of areas imposed by forces of the Assad regime and denying them access to food and medicine. The Coalition also called for allowing the passage of relief convoys to it.” The Syrian Coalition warned that “the besieged areas are home to a large number of Syrian civilians who suffer daily in extremely difficult living conditions.” (Source: Syrian Coalition)
