The President of the Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC), Hadi al-Bahra, participated in a seminar organized by civil and revolutionary groups at the cultural center of Jindires in Afrin’s countryside. This seminar is part of an inspection tour by a SOC delegation to Afrin, aimed at understanding the needs and living conditions of the population and addressing the difficulties and challenges they face.
Alongside al-Bahra, other participants in the seminar included the Secretary of the political Committee, Abdulbasit Abdullatif, and members of the political committee and General Assembly: Anas al-Abdah, Nadhir al-Hakim, Munther Sarras, Mohammad Sheikh Rashid, Haitham Shihabi, Asaad Allito, Atef Zureik, Azad Othman, and Mohammad al-Mukhlef. The Minister of Defense in the Syrian Interim Government, Hassan Hamada, was also in attendance, along with a large number of dignitaries, representatives of revolutionary groups, unions, civil associations, and political parties.
Al-Bahra provided an update on the latest political and military developments in Syria, the impact of regional and international crises, and the potential changes or opportunities they may present. He also addressed Türkiye’s policies towards the Assad regime, noting that the SOC had met with Turkish leadership several times to understand these policies correctly. They received assurances from Ankara regarding its commitment to a political solution in Syria, in line with UN resolutions, particularly Resolution 2254. Al-Bahra emphasized that implementing this resolution and ensuring dignified living conditions are essential to convincing Syrian refugees to voluntarily return to their homes.
He stressed that the SOC bases its policies on Syrian national interests first and foremost in its relations with other countries, which must also pursue policies that serve their national interests and the interests of their people. The Coalition seeks to align these interests for mutual benefit.
Al-Bahra highlighted that the political process remains stalled due to competing international and regional crises, differing national priorities, and the Assad regime’s ongoing obstruction of the UN-led political process. He asserted that changing international stances toward Syria requires the Syrians themselves to unite and alter the situation on the ground through solidarity, cooperation, and coordination of efforts.
He called on Syrians to take advantage of the current political stagnation to organize themselves, strengthen revolutionary institutions, develop northern Syria, and prepare to capitalize on any shifts in the regional and international landscape to advance the Syrian people’s demands for justice, freedom, and democracy.
Attendees raised many questions and concerns about issues affecting Syrians in liberated areas, particularly regarding living conditions and services. Some inquired about what the SOC has done to address their needs and its efforts over the past 13 years since the start of the Syrian revolution. Others asked about the Coalition’s structure, its components, and the limitations of the interim government, calling for its strengthening. Some also requested that political parties be better represented in the Coalition, especially with the establishment of new parties in recent years.
Several female participants questioned the role of Syrian women and their underrepresentation in revolutionary, political, governmental, and local council institutions. Al-Bahra responded to these questions, offering detailed explanations about the Coalition’s organizational structure, its components, and how representatives are replaced. He also discussed how working groups within the Coalition are formed, incorporating participation from organizations, political parties, movements, unions, and experts. These groups aim to expand Coalition membership.
Al-Bahra stressed that the Syrian people have made great sacrifices to achieve a state of justice, freedom, equality, and democracy. He affirmed the Coalition’s firm rejection of any violations of people’s rights and dignity in Syria and its commitment to ensuring justice, the rule of law, and a dignified and secure life in liberated areas and across Syria.
He reiterated the importance of freedom of expression and the right of Syrians to peacefully protest and demonstrate, emphasizing that exercising these freedoms must not lead to chaos, the destruction of private or public property, or the prevention of others from exercising the same rights, nor should it disrupt the functioning of revolutionary institutions.
Al-Bahra noted that, since the beginning of the Syrian revolution, Syrians have not built upon each other’s efforts. Instead, some viewed the destruction of others’ achievements as a starting point for their own work, which wasted many opportunities and caused a cycle of construction and destruction. This, he said, is one of the main reasons for the revolution’s delay in achieving its goals. He emphasized that the current phase requires a shift in working methods, focusing on coordination, cooperation, and complementarity, to support and enhance successful initiatives and help those who struggle to succeed.
He concluded by stating that the burden is too great for any single state to bear alone, and the United Nations must assume its responsibilities. In international relations, particularly with friendly and allied nations, efforts must be made to create allies, not enemies. He also stressed the importance of preparing the groundwork for restarting the country’s economic engine by revitalizing agriculture, industry, and trade, and encouraging investment in northern Syria to make the region an economic driver for all of Syria.
(Source: SOC’s Media Department)
