Syrian National Coalition
General Assembly
November 11, 2019
President of the Syrian National Coalition, Anas Al-Abda, opened the 48th meeting of the General Assembly by observing a minute of silence for the fallen heroes of the Syrian Revolution. He gave a detailed overview of the most important activities and tasks carried out by the Presidential Body, especially those related to political developments, Operation Peace Spring, the visit to the Kingdom of Morocco, and the meetings with Turkish government officials. President Al-Abda also talked in detail about the meetings the Coalition held with ambassadors and representatives of the European Union countries to discuss ways to support the Syrian people in their struggle for freedom and to support the Syrian Interim Government, explain the situation in east of the Euphrates as well as the military and the national efforts of the Syrian National Army, and the Coalition’s efforts to create a safe environment that will allow the return of the displaced persons and refugees.
The General Assembly commended SIG Ministry of Defense’s efforts to incorporate the National Liberation Front into the Syrian National Army. The move brought the number of the SNA corps to seven, comprising the finest fighters defending the Syrian people, their freedom and dignity.
Moreover, President al-Abda stressed the importance of SIG Ministry of Defense’s deployment of military police units in and around the towns of Tel Abyad and Ras Al-Ayn. He said that the move aimed to create a safe environment and allow the voluntary, safe return of the people of those areas after military operations have ended and the terrorist PYD group defeated.
President al-Abda also discussed the efforts being made by the Joint Committee with the Turkish Interior Ministry to manage the affairs of Syrian nationals in Turkey and settle their legal status, pointing to the study and follow-up of about 10,000 cases, the majority of which have been resolved already.
The General Assembly reviewed the reports that were submitted by SIG and its Head, Abdurrahman Mustafa highlighting the difficulties they are facing. SIG’s ministers talked about the work that has been done in the areas of services, health, education, local councils, financial situation, the proposed projects, and the formation of a judiciary council.
The General Assembly focused its attention on the detailed overview that was made by SIG’s Minister of Defense, Major General Salim Idris, on the steps made to establish the Syrian National Army. Idris also talked about the SNA’s vital role in Operation Peace Spring and its swift liberation of large swathes of Syrian territory with the support of the Turkish Armed Forces. Idris said they tasked the Assistant Minister of Defense with forming a committee to preserve security and secure the rights and property of citizens in the liberated areas after it was the target of terrorism.
With regards to the political process, the General Assembly listened to a detailed overview from Head of the Syrian Negotiations Commission, Nasr Al-Hariri, and Co-chair of the Constitutional Committee, Hadi Al-Bahra, on the atmosphere and efforts made to convene the first session of the Constitutional Committee and the mechanisms of work agreed upon with the United Nations. Al-Hariri and Al-Bahra said they reaffirmed the Coalition’s commitment to a political solution that is inclusive and just, the principles and goals of the revolution, most notably the removal of the tyrannical regime with all its pillars and symbols, the establishment of a democratic, civil system of rule, which safeguards human rights and basic freedoms, and activates other tracks of the political transition in accordance with UN Security Council resolution 2254.
Furthermore, the General Assembly discussed the positions of the Kurdish National Council regarding Operation Peace Spring and the allegations of abuses cited in its statements as well as the misinformation and smear campaign against the SNA fighters. The SNA lost around 200 fighters to liberate precious Syrian territory from the PYD terrorist group.
The Coalition reaffirmed its commitment to the Document of Joint Relationship with the Kurdish National Council, reiterating that the Kurdish issue should be resolved within the Syrian national cause. It condemned these allegations as detrimental to the relations of mutual respect amongst the Coalition’s components and showing disrespect for the sacrifices our people are making in the fight against terrorism. The Coalition expressed support for the letter President Al-Abda sent to the Kurdish National Council demanding respect for the Coalition’s decisions and the terms of the Joint Agreement and demanded an apology to the Syrian National Army for the inappropriate expressions and descriptions. The letter also invited the Kurdish National Council for a meeting with the Coalition’s political committee to discuss the situation for the benefit of our national cause.
The situation on the ground got special attention in the discussions of the General Assembly, which also discussed the continued onslaught by the Assad regime and its allies the Iranian terrorist militias and with Russia support. The Coalition discussed the continued daily bombardment and shelling on Idlib and rural Aleppo and the deliberate targeting of civilians and infrastructure, calling on the international community to condemn these crimes. It also called for holding the perpetrators to account and preventing impunity, ensuring accountability, and bringing to justice those responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity, including the continued torture of detainees and the increasing deaths in detention, and the regime’s refusal to release about a quarter of a million detainees and to disclose the fate of 85,000 missing persons.
The Coalition salutes the Iraqi and Lebanese people in their uprising against corruption and sectarianism as it salutes all Arab peoples demanding freedom and justice.
The Coalition also salutes our people at home, the IDP and those in the diaspora as it vows to continue to work to achieve their aspirations to put an end to the regime of factionalism and tyranny and the establishment of a national, democratic system of rule that is based on freedom, equality, and justice.
May our wounded recover, our detainees be free, and our fallen heroes rest in peace.
Long live Syria and its people, free and with honor.
