Press release
Syrian Opposition Coalition
Department of Media and Communications
July 15, 2023
The recent decision by the Assad regime to permit UN aid entry through the Bab al-Hawa border crossing for an additional six months is a misleading gesture that should not be interpreted as a genuine change in attitude. The regime’s endorsement of aid entry is unnecessary as it lacks control over the region and has no effective governance in any liberated areas of Syria. Furthermore, this decision is not driven by a humanitarian stance but rather aligns with the Russian position in the UN Security Council. Despite these developments, the UN aid provided still falls short of meeting the growing needs of Syrian population in northwestern Syria.
The Assad regime bears significant responsibility for the displacement of millions of Syrians and cannot adequately provide humanitarian services to its people. The regime continues to subject Syrians to constant bombing, with the assistance of its allies, Russia and Iran. Additionally, the Assad regime has a grim record of targeting humanitarian workers, with the Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) documenting the killing of approximately 1,000 and the arrest of around 4,000 humanitarian workers between 2011 and 2019.
The Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC) condemns the criminal approach adopted by the Assad regime and Russia, which exploits the humanitarian crisis as a bargaining chip to further their political interests at the expense of the suffering Syrian people and their children.
In light of these alarming developments, the SOC urgently calls on the international community to secure the humanitarian needs of the Syrian people and take necessary measures to circumvent the Russian veto at the UN Security Council. It is imperative to find sustainable ways to deliver humanitarian aid directly to those in need. The SOC reiterates that addressing the Syrian tragedy goes beyond providing aid; it necessitates achieving a political transition in accordance with UN Resolution 2254.
