President of the Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC), Hadi Al-Bahra, held an online meeting with the Syrian Women’s Authority to discuss the latest developments concerning Syrian refugees in Turkey. The discussion focused particularly on the unfortunate events that began last Sunday in the Turkish city of Kayseri and extended to other Turkish cities, along with subsequent developments inside Syria.
SOC’s Vice President, Dima Moussa, and members of the Authority from various regions in Türkiye and northern Syria attended the meeting.
Al-Bahra addressed the conditions in these regions, the urgent needs of Syrians, and recommendations for medium and long-term actions. He emphasized measures to avoid escalation and improve the situation, while ensuring that Syrians’ voices and demands are conveyed to the relevant Turkish authorities for their safety and well-being.
Al-Bahra condemned the racist incitement campaigns occurring in some Turkish states and stressed the importance of not being provoked by such behavior. He briefed the participants on the SOC’s coordination with Turkish authorities, who are taking necessary measures to maintain security and ensure the safety of both citizens and residents in Türkiye. Ongoing legal procedures aim to hold those responsible for violations accountable, including attacks on people and public and private property.
He also provided a political briefing on the latest developments, clarifying that the Turkish government has no intention of handing over any areas in northern Syria to the Assad regime. Al-Bahra stated that the Turkish position remains firm that sustainable security, stability, and peace in Syria require a political solution in accordance with Security Council Resolution 2254. Such a solution is seen as the only way to convince Syrian refugees to return voluntarily and safely to their homeland.
Al-Bahra emphasized that the Turkish government consistently upholds the unity and integrity of Syrian territories and the independence of the Syrian state. Turkish forces cannot withdraw until the threat posed by terrorist organizations, which endanger both nations’ security, is eliminated. The only guarantee against the return of these organizations is a just political solution in accordance with Security Council Resolution 2254.
Participants from the liberated areas also spoke, presenting the situation in their regions and offering recommendations to prevent a recurrence of recent events. Al-Bahra emphasized the importance of not being provoked by hate speech, which aims to incite innocent people towards similar rhetoric. He advised staying away from rioters and acts of sabotage affecting public and private establishments and stressed the right of citizens to express their opinions peacefully.
Additionally, Al-Bahra highlighted the significance of the independence flag, adopted by the Syrian people as a symbol of the revolution. This flag, raised by the revolutionaries of the Great Syrian Revolution, holds a special place in Syrians’ hearts and minds, as it was the first flag adopted by the independent Syrian state and represents the Syrian revolution that began in 2011. He stated that any insult to this national symbol is an insult to the Syrian people, and from that principle, Syrians are expected to respect the national symbols of friendly countries.
Al-Bahra also stressed the necessity of restoring security and stability in the liberated areas and engaging in dialogue with the local population to establish mechanisms of cooperation and coordination between all official institutions of the revolutionary forces and civil society organizations. The goal is to develop solutions that facilitate citizens’ affairs and alleviate their suffering.
(Source: SOC’s Media Department)
