Syrian Coalition: We will not Go to Geneva if Shelling by Barrel Bombs Continues

Ahmad Jarba, Head of Syrian Coalition said, “it is a shame that the international community takes measures against chemical weapons while allowing the systematic and daily killing of the Syrian people by the Assad regime using conventional weapons,” during a telephone call with the French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius and Britain’s William Hague. Jarba highlighted the daily attacks carried out by the Assad regime through the use of explosive barrels and warplanes, leaving behind dozens of victims. The Secretary General of the Syrian Coalition, Badr Aldin Jamous also stated that “if the Assad regime continues its aerial ferocious campaign and genocidal shelling of the Syrian people, the Syrian Coalition will not go to Geneva II.” Jamous points out that the Syrian Coalition will decide upon participation in Geneva II during the General Assembly’s conference on January 4.  Jamous also echoed in a statement that, “if the international community fails to put pressure on the Assad regime to stop its destructive and atrocious campaign against the Syrian people, then how can they pressure Assad during Geneva II to move towards a political solution and implement Geneva I Communique?” Jamous also pointed out that Syrian Coalition’s chief Ahmad Jarba contacted the foreign ministers of France and Britain to put pressure on the Assad regime. The Russians were also asked to put pressure on Assad, using Russia missiles to kill Syrians in efforts to thwart the negotiation process.  Hadi Al Bahra, member of the Syrian Coalition’s Political Committee, said “the Syrian Coalition’s General Assembly will make a thorough evaluation of the latest developments and fully re-assess the decision towards participation in Geneva II.” Furthermore, he said that “the Syrian Coalition’s decision would be made in line with the Syrian people’s interests and the Syrian revolution. Moreover, the Assad regime aims to influence the Syrian Coalition’s decision towards Geneva II through the latest genocidal escalation of violence.”  Bahra went on: “Assad’s ongoing crimes prove he is not interested in reaching a peaceful solution and a full political transition, besides always evading legal and political commitments, especially UN Security Council Resolution No. 2118.” It is important to note that Syrian Coalition’s chief Ahmad Jarba called on the top French and British diplomats to take immediate and urgent action to push the international community to stop Assad’s aggression and force it to abide by the international and humanitarian commitments the way he was forced to give up his arsenal of chemical weapons. Two statements were released by British and French foreign ministries pledging to take the necessary measures.  (Source: Syrian Coalition)