Media Note
The Media Office
Istanbul, Turkey
April 20, 2013
The National Coalition of Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces issues its formal demands of the international Community, and particularly of the Friends of Syria. These demands which were presented during the Friends of Syria Conference on April 20, 2013.
Demands of the Nation Coalition of Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces
The use of ballistic missiles and chemical weapons by the Assad regime continues to be a constant source of unchallenged criminality affecting the lives of thousands of civilians. So far, there are many confirmed reports – including NATO’s – that the Assad regime has fired tens of ballistic missiles from certain, known locations towards densely populated areas mostly in the northern parts of the country, in addition to other locations. Other reports confirm the Assad regime’s use of chemical weapons against civilians at several densely populated areas in the country including the suburbs of Damascus.
The above referenced reports mostly rely on confirmed intelligence sources that have the ability to identify the exact location and the launching bases of the ballistic weapons.
The technical ability to take specific action to prevent the human tragedy and suffering of innocent civilians, mostly women and children, is available in the form of specific intelligence and equipment. Syrians understand that such ability is within the reach of a number of members of the Friends of Syria Group yet nothing serious has been done to put an end to such terror and criminality.
It is the moral imperative of the international community, led by the Friends of Syria, to take specific, precise and immediate action to protect Syrian civilians from the use of ballistic missiles and chemical weapons.
In light of the above, the Coalition, on behalf of the Syrian people, urgently requests the Friends of Syria for the following:
Demands of the Nation Coalition of Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces
The use of ballistic missiles and chemical weapons by the Assad regime continues to be a constant source of unchallenged criminality affecting the lives of thousands of civilians. So far, there are many confirmed reports – including NATO’s – that the Assad regime has fired tens of ballistic missiles from certain, known locations towards densely populated areas mostly in the northern parts of the country, in addition to other locations. Other reports confirm the Assad regime’s use of chemical weapons against civilians at several densely populated areas in the country including the suburbs of Damascus.
The above referenced reports mostly rely on confirmed intelligence sources that have the ability to identify the exact location and the launching bases of the ballistic weapons.
The technical ability to take specific action to prevent the human tragedy and suffering of innocent civilians, mostly women and children, is available in the form of specific intelligence and equipment. Syrians understand that such ability is within the reach of a number of members of the Friends of Syria Group yet nothing serious has been done to put an end to such terror and criminality.
It is the moral imperative of the international community, led by the Friends of Syria, to take specific, precise and immediate action to protect Syrian civilians from the use of ballistic missiles and chemical weapons.
In light of the above, the Coalition, on behalf of the Syrian people, urgently requests the Friends of Syria for the following:
- Introduce and work towards the passing of a Security Council Resolution that clearly condemns the Assad regime for the use of ballistic and chemical weapons against civilians and that articulates clear steps and mechanisms to be taken to disable the Assad regime’s use of such weapons;
- The articulation and commitment by a coalition of willing countries within the Friends of Syria to implement specific and immediate measures to disable the Assad regime from the use chemical weapons and ballistic missiles through the surgical strikes of launching locations by unmanned aerial vehicles.
- Enforcing a no fly zone with a protected air space from any shelling or missiles along the northern borders and southern borders to allow for the free movement of Syrian refugees back to their country.
- Establishing an international fund to support the Coalition and its institutions including the current Interim Government and its programs to support Syrians inside the country and in refugee camps and providing the means to return Syrian refugees back to their homes and villages.
It is time for the millions of Syrian refugees to return to their country. This will not take place until the essential first step is taken to lift the threat of bombardment of their cities and villages by ballistic missiles.
