The President of the Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC), Hadi al-Bahra, held a meeting with France’s Special Envoy to Syria, Jean-François Guillaume, and his accompanying delegation. The discussion focused on recent developments following the launch of military operations in Aleppo and their political and humanitarian repercussions.
The meeting highlighted the regime’s targeting of civilian areas and public facilities, particularly hospitals, through airstrikes and shelling, resulting in civilian casualties and endangering lives.
Al-Bahra urged the French government and allied nations to convene an emergency UN Security Council session to implement measures to halt these attacks. He also emphasized the need for binding mechanisms to activate the political process for the full and strict implementation of UN Security Council resolutions on Syria.
The meeting was attended by Vice President Abdul Majid Barakat, Secretary-General Haytham Rahmeh, the Coordinator of the Foreign Relations Department Abdulahad Asepho, and SOC member Salwa Aksoy. The French delegation included Amal Bin Hakouk, Political Affairs Officer at the French Consulate in Istanbul, Antoine de Samp, and Seth Bodgina.
Al-Bahra expressed gratitude to the French government for its support of the Syrian people in their quest to build a democratic state founded on justice and equality. He underscored the importance of France’s role in providing humanitarian and medical aid to Aleppo and maintaining support for stability in the city.
Discussing military operations in Syria, Al-Bahra outlined their objectives. He explained that these actions were a response to escalating aggression by regime forces and their allies targeting civilians in liberated areas. The second aim is to liberate more towns and villages to enable the voluntary and dignified return of displaced individuals and refugees to their original homes. The third goal is to activate the political process and achieve a sustainable solution in line with UN resolutions.
Al-Bahra noted the SOC’s close monitoring of France’s diplomatic and political efforts on Syria and stressed the urgent need for swift action to ensure civilian safety in Aleppo. He called for an end to crisis management policies in Syria, advocating instead for proactive and effective engagement to achieve a sustainable resolution and prevent total collapse.
He pointed out that liberated areas continue to receive Syrians fleeing regime-controlled zones daily, reflecting widespread despair over Syria’s future under Assad and the absence of a political solution.
Al-Bahra reaffirmed the SOC’s support for the return of all Syrians, including Syrian Kurds, to their original homes. He also emphasized the Syrian National Army’s commitment to ensuring the safety, freedoms, and security of all components of the Syrian population in Aleppo. He stressed the need to stabilize the city to facilitate the return of displaced persons and refugees.
He said that the SOC is closely monitoring of the situation in Aleppo, where several SOC members are currently present. He assured that no violations against civilians by groups participating in the military operations have occurred. On the contrary, reassuring messages have been sent to all communities and sects in Aleppo. He emphasized the importance of increasing logistical and humanitarian support to continue providing essential services.
Al-Bahra called on the French government and its European Union partners to support the political process and increase humanitarian aid to Syrians in liberated areas. He stressed the urgent need for immediate assistance to Aleppo through international and UN organizations.
The SOC, as part of the Syrian Negotiations Commission, remains fully committed to pursuing the UN-mediated negotiation process to implement UNSC Resolutions 2118 and 2254, including the Geneva Communiqué of 2012. He affirmed that the Syrian people would continue their struggle to achieve their aspirations.
French Special Envoy Jean-François Guillaume emphasized the significant opportunity to activate the political process, noting that the French government is working with UN envoy Geir Pedersen to advance this effort. France will coordinate with its partners, including the UK, the US, and Germany, to push for progress.
Guillaume stressed the importance of protecting all communities in Aleppo and facilitating access for humanitarian organizations to assess the city’s needs. He highlighted the necessity of establishing a good civil governance system in Aleppo as a model for liberated areas, utilizing the current Early Recovery Fund to meet the city’s needs.
(Source: SOC’s Media Department)
