Press release
Syrian Opposition Coalition
Department of Media and Communications
January 25, 2021
The Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC) warns of the Assad regime’s moves and intentions in southern Syria, including bringing in reinforcements and deploying militias to besiege towns and villages in western rural Dara’a in preparation for a new crime aimed at terrorizing civilians and forcing them out of their homes.
Local representatives and notables warned that the Assad regime intends to carry out a new campaign of mass forced displacement under threats of siege, burning of homes and stealing of property, which would open the door to a serious escalation.
The Assad regime’s continued attempts to impose its control on the Syrian people with iron and fire, continued suppression of civilians, and harnessing the country’s resources have been regime’s modus operandi since day one.
The SOC warns of the dangers of such moves and the escalation that they may cause, stressing the need for the international community to assume its role towards the violations being committed by the Assad regime, Russia and Iran, whether their violations of UN resolutions or local agreements. Immediate action is needed to put real pressure on the Assad regime to force it to stop its intimidation of innocent civilians.
It is about time that the international community, including the new US administration, assume its responsibilities with regards to reining in the murderous Assad regime and its backers, preventing all attempts to rehabilitate the regime or lift sanctions under any pretext, and supporting a democratic transition in the country in accordance with the Geneva Communique of 2012, UN Security Council Resolutions 2118 and 2254, and UN General Assembly Resolution 67/262 calling for the formation of a transitional governing body that includes the powers of the government and the presidency.
