The Syrian Negotiations Commission stressed that the Assad regime, Iranian militias, and Russian air force are committing war crimes in Syria by bombing residential areas with indiscriminate and internationally banned weapons. It warned of the collapse of political process should these crimes continue.
The Commission said in a statement that the humanitarian disasters and mass killings taking place in the Damascus suburb of eastern Ghouta and other parts of Syria are the result of the Assad regime’s continued pursuit of a military solution in the face of the legitimate demands of the Syrian people for a political transition to a democratic state. These crimes and disaster are also the result of the regime’s refusal to engage in the negotiating process in accordance with international resolutions.
The Commission pointed out that the military actions of the Assad regime, Russia and Iran and their indiscriminate use of internationally prohibited weapons violated International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law. It warned that these actions would lead to humanitarian catastrophes right under the eyes of the whole world and show utter disregard to the lives of women, children and the elderly.
The continued bombings claiming the lives of thousands of civilians risk putting the whole political process at stake and threatens it with total collapse, which will worsen the tragedy of the Syrian people and reflect negatively on regional and international peace, the Commission stressed.
The Commission called for real pressure on the Russian Federation, Iran and the Assad regime to comply fully with UN Security Council Resolution 2401 by stopping all military operations causing massacres against civilians.
These massacres are a disgrace to the international community, the Commission added. It also called for the introduction of humanitarian aid to the besieged areas as well as the activation of the UN-led political process in Geneva in order to achieve political transition and rid Syria of all forms of tyranny and terrorism. It underscored that no party to the conflict should seek solutions outside the framework of international legality. (Source: Syrian Coalition’s Media Department)
