Syrian Opposition Coalition
General Assembly
January 12, 2023
The Syrian Opposition Coalition’s (SOC) General Assembly held its 65th meeting in Istanbul on 11-12 January. The meeting began with observing a minute of silence for the fallen heroes of the Syrian Revolution. SOC’s President, Salem Al-Meslet, gave a briefing on the latest political developments and presented the work reports for the past two months, including the reports of the presidential body, the vice-presidents, and the General Secretariat.
The General Assembly discussed the latest political developments and the impact of international developments on the Syrian Revolution and ways to deal with these changes in a way that ensures achieving the goals of the Syrian people and commitment to the principles of the Syrian revolution.
Al-Meslet spoke before the General Assembly about the recent political activities, especially the meetings with Turkish officials in Ankara, which concluded with a meeting with the Turkish Foreign Minister, Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu in Ankara.
Al-Meslet said that Türkiye is an ally and that the Turkish officials with whom the SOC met reaffirmed the Turkish position in support of the Syrian Revolution and opposition forces so as to fulfill the aspirations of the Syrian people through the implementation of UN resolutions.
He talked about the meetings held by the Presidency during the past two months and the SOC’s assertion of its commitment to UN resolutions and the goals of the Syrian people, and clarifying what the Assad regime is doing to obstruct any progress in the political process. He also stressed the need to tighten the international isolation of the Assad regime.
The SOCs Vice-Presidents and the Secretary-General presented their briefings, in which they presented their work reports for the past two months. The General Assembly reviewed the reports of the Syrian Interim Government and the Assistance Coordination Unit, in addition to the reports of departments, offices and representations. It also reviewed the briefings of the Syrian Negotiations Commission, the Constitutional Committee and the Syrian Recovery Trust Fund.
President of the Syrian Negotiations Commission gave an overview on the major developments in the political process, and the meetings that the Commission has held with international representatives in recent weeks, during which it called for more international efforts to reach a political transition in accordance with UN resolutions.
Head of the Syria Recovery Trust Fund gave an overview on the Fund’s projects in eastern and northwestern Syria, and the international grants obtained by the Fund to support the health, agricultural and food sectors, which would contribute to alleviating the suffering of our people, especially the internally displaced.
Participants also discussed the political situation and international developments related to Syria, stressing the need to step up efforts to take effective steps by the international community towards the Syrian file, especially working to release detainees and disclosing the fate of the disappeared. They also stressed the need for effective work to ensure the implementation of UN Resolution 2254, which would lead to a genuine political transition.
Moreover, participants stressed the importance of the ‘Captagon Act’ which the US Congress approved to combat the Assad regime’s production and trafficking of drugs and to dismantle the regime-run networks in its areas, which the regime turned it into a hotbed of drugs that spread Captagon to neighboring countries and the world.
Participants praised the popular demonstrations that took place in many locations across the liberated areas to confirm the continuation of the revolution and commitment to its principles. They also lauded the anti-regime demonstrations in Dara’a and Suwayda, which showed great courage in order to convey the voice of the people rejecting the rule of the Assad regime throughout Syria.
Participants stressed that the Assad regime and the PYD terrorist militia continue the violations against civilians through bombing and terrorist operations, pointing to the need to hold them accountable, deter and respond to them. They made it clear that the Assad regime, because of its corruption and neglect of the living situation, has made our people in the areas under its control unable to secure the most basic necessities of life. They also stressed that the handover of the country and its will to Iran and its mercenaries has made Syria at the bottom in the ranking of the world countries in terms of decent living, freedoms, and safety.
Furthermore, they stressed that the humanitarian conditions in Syria need to be addressed through a decisive mechanism that prevents the repeated Russian blackmail, and ensures that aid reaches those who deserve it. It has been proven in pictures and evidence that the Assad regime uses international aid for its forces and allied militias.
They underscored the need to step up efforts by humanitarian organizations to save millions of displaced people in camps who are suffering from deteriorating humanitarian conditions.
They also discussed the situation of Syrian refugees, pointing to the need to take effective measures to solve refugee problems in host countries, especially Lebanon, which recently announced the suspension of education for Syrian students as they stressed that this a denial of one of the legitimate rights of refugees. They also stressed the need for close follow-up with the joint Syrian committee to address the situation of refugees in Turkey.
They also talked about the administrative steps taken by the Syrian Interim Government to manage the liberated areas more effectively.
In conclusion, participants reaffirmed their commitment to the goals of the Syrian Revolution and to achieving the aspirations of the free Syrian people, who are making immense sacrifices for their realization.
The SOC’s members thanked the sisterly and friendly countries that stood with the Syrian people, supported their just cause, and sought to alleviate their suffering.
May our wounded recover, our detainees be free, and our fallen heroes rest in peace.
May the great Syrian Revolution emerge victorious.
