Spokesman for the Syrian Coalition Salem al-Meslet condemns the international anti-terror coalition air strike on the town of Atmeh near the Turkish border on Tuesday, stressing that “this incident definitely requires explanation, investigation and accountability.” Many civilian casualties fell as a result of the airstrike, including children.
On Wednesday, the U.S.-led coalition claimed Tuesday’s airstrikes were “planned air strikes carried out in the northern Syrian town of Aleppo on August 11 and that the area of operation included the town of Atmeh.” The statement did not specify from which air base the coalition warplanes left.
Meanwhile, over 120 civilians were killed and hundreds more wounded in regime air raids that targeted mostly marketplaces in Idlib, Maarrat Misrin, Saqb, Douma, Drayya and elsewhere.
“The continual criminal policy pursued by Assad lays responsibility on the international community to protect civilians by all means, primarily through the establishing of safe zones,” Meslet said.
“The actual condemnation of the regime’s crimes, in addition to reviewing the international coalition’s strategy must be accompanied by a firm will to set up a safe zone to put an end to the Assad regime’s aerial supremacy as its air force continues to bomb civilians and residential areas.”
“A safe zone is also needed to effectively curb the movement of terrorist organizations, thus leading to restoring security which have been shattered by the Assad regime and terrorist organizations and also to control the chaos caused by the daily aerial bombardment. Consequently, these measures will create a margin of civil and political action and will allow for taking the initiative, which is one of the preludes to the political solution,” he added.
“The international community has a responsibility to provide the necessary protection for Syrians and to stop the bombing and destruction rather than increasing their suffering and pain.” (Source: Syrian Coalition)
