Press release
Syrian Opposition Coalition
Department of Media and Communications
February 02, 2023
Today marks the 41st anniversary of the Hama Massacre, committed by the Assad regime in the city of Hama. Approximately 40,000 civilians were killed in the brutal 26-day siege, which included heavy bombardment, a ground invasion, and mass executions led by Rifaat al-Assad, the brother of former President Hafez al-Assad.
The Hama Massacre was one of the most horrific crimes of the Assad regime, showcasing its criminal approach towards the Syrian people, which has not changed over the years. Bashar al-Assad has continued the violence started by his father and uncle in order to maintain power and exploit the country’s wealth.
The Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC) stresses that the Assad regime, which came to power through a military coup, does not represent the Syrian people and is a genocidal regime that has committed war crimes for years. The world was exposed to the regime’s brutality during the Syrian Revolution of 2011 and its use of chemical weapons, barrel bombs, and other weapons to break the will of the Syrian people.
The SOC supports the bravery of the Syrian people in the face of the Assad regime and calls on the international community to fulfill its legal and moral responsibilities by holding the regime accountable for its crimes and working towards a political transition that aligns with the aspirations of the Syrian people.
