Hadi Al-Bahra, President of the Syrian Opposition- Coalition (SOC), held a press conference on Wednesday, both in person and virtually, with journalists, researchers, and activists to discuss political developments in Syria and the steps of the transitional phase.
Al-Bahra emphasized that the victory achieved through the efforts of the revolution forces is the result of 14 years of struggle, involving the participation of all segments of the Syrian people across civil, political, military, and revolutionary spheres.
He noted that the fall of the Assad regime has revealed to the world the extent of the crimes committed against civilians over the past 14 years. The international community has acknowledged the atrocities and the necessity of holding the perpetrators accountable.
Al-Bahra stressed that the military overthrow of the regime was conducted with great care by the groups participating in the joint operations room, demonstrating a full commitment to respecting human rights, protecting public and private property, and preserving state institutions, particularly essential services such as electricity, education, and healthcare.
He highlighted the importance of maintaining public peace, praising the collaborative efforts between the military operations room, civil society, and the SOC.
Al-Bahra explained that life is beginning to return to normal in the capital, Damascus, and will continue to improve in the coming days. Today, the first flight took off from Damascus Airport to Aleppo Airport.
Al-Bahra stressed the need for the current caretaker government to receive support from the international community, civil society organizations, and all Syrians. He urged patience and sufficient time for the government to carry out its duties.
He called on all Syrians to unite, cooperate, and bridge differences, avoiding divisions that serve only chaos, squander Syrian efforts and sacrifices, and hinder the success of the Syrian revolution.
Al-Bahra emphasized that toppling the regime was the primary obstacle preventing the revolution from achieving its goals of freedom, dignity, and democratic transformation. These shared objectives will enable the rebuilding of Syria and its advancement alongside developed and civilized nations.
He reaffirmed the SOC openness to working with all Syrian groups, expressing its readiness to assist, collaborate, and work jointly. He also noted that Coalition members are present in Aleppo, Hama, Homs, Damascus, and Deir Ezzor, playing their part in promoting public peace, engaging in civil activities within their communities, and participating in political and diplomatic meetings.
Al-Bahra announced that the Coalition has begun preparations to relocate its offices to Damascus and other Syrian provinces to continue its active role during this critical phase in Syria’s history.
He clarified that the current caretaker government’s term will end in early March, after which a transitional government will be formed through consensus among Syrians, ensuring inclusivity without excluding any party.
Al-Bahra explained that the transitional phase in Syria has been agreed upon by Syrians over 14 years through meetings, conferences, and workshops and has been endorsed by the international community in relevant resolutions on Syria.
He stressed that the transitional phase must be built on extensive dialogue with all segments and components of the Syrian population, ensuring inclusivity. This will be followed by a broad national conference to elect a constitutional assembly tasked with drafting Syria’s future constitution. The new constitution will define the system of governance, which will then be approved by the assembly before being submitted for a public referendum. The constitutional assembly will also draft an electoral law and oversee the first free and fair elections for parliament and the presidency based on the governance system defined in the new constitution.
Al-Bahra affirmed that these steps would guarantee accountability, transparency, and stability for the Syrian people, while reassuring the international community that is closely monitoring developments in Syria. This will help achieve public peace, accelerate the transitional process, lift sanctions, and pave the way for engagement with Syria’s upcoming government.
He stressed that this significant challenge is a shared responsibility for all Syrians to achieve the revolution’s goals of freedom, dignity, and democratic transformation, based on equal citizenship under the law.
Al-Bahra stated that the remaining objective of UN Resolution 2254 is to achieve political transition through a roadmap outlined in its fourth provision. With the fall of the Assad regime, its implementation now depends on one party alone.
He noted that the fourth provision of UN Resolution 2254 also specifies the standards for the transitional government: it must be inclusive, credible, and non-sectarian. The main tasks of the transitional government include creating a safe and neutral environment for drafting the constitution, conducting free elections without any pressure, and adhering to a fixed timetable of no more than 18 months.
Al-Bahra emphasized that UN Resolution 2254 does not impose any foreign guardianship. The resolution explicitly states that the political process must be wholly Syrian-led, with the United Nations playing only a facilitative role.
(Source: SOC’s Media Department)
