Press release
Syrian Opposition Coalition
Department of Media and Communications
October 23, 2023
In the wake of the ongoing military escalation campaign orchestrated by the Assad regime and its allies, targeting innocent civilians in liberated areas, a recent heinous war crime has been committed. The regime, through artillery shelling, unleashed its brutality upon civilian homes in the village of Qarqour situated in the Al-Ghab Plain in the Hama countryside on Sunday. This shocking incident marks yet another addition to the extensive catalogue of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by the regime. The Assad regime takes advantage of the absence of international will to activate legal mechanisms for accountability, further compounded by Russia’s continued use of its veto power within the UN Security Council.
The Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC) underscores that the Assad regime remains on a malevolent path. It demonstrates no belief in a political process that would fulfill the aspirations of the Syrian people. Instead, it persists in hostilities, military strategies, and the perpetuation of violence, resulting in death, repression, and mass displacement. These tactics are employed to bolster its illegitimate authority within Syria, as a form of punishment for civilians who seek freedom, justice, and a dignified life.
The SOC urgently calls upon the UN Security Council to denounce the war crime perpetrated by the Assad regime in Qarqour village. It also urges the international community to explore mechanisms to break the deadlock in Syria and advance the United Nations-sponsored political process. A concerted effort is needed to facilitate a political transition and implement international resolutions concerning Syria, with special emphasis on Resolutions 2254 (2015) and 2118 (2013). These actions are crucial to align with the desires and hopes of the Syrian people as they aspire to achieve a state characterized by justice, freedom, and democracy.
