Press release
Syrian Opposition Coalition
Department of Media and Communications
August 10, 2022
The Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC) warns against the Assad regime’s persistence in mass forced displacement, a policy that it has been pursuing against the Syrian people for years. The murderous regime, backed by sectarian Iranian militias, is seeking new military escalation in Dara’a province, targeting the town of Tafas. The ongoing escalation led to an exodus of civilians from the town after the regime began bombing of the town and encircling it with tanks.
In light of the violations currently taking place in Dara’a, the international community assumes the role of a spectator as it shows utter disregard for the lives of thousands of civilians who are threatened with arrest, enforced disappearance and forced displacement. This inaction will further deepen the wounds of the Syrian people who were left alone in the face of the forces of oppression, occupation and terrorism.
The SOC stresses that any further Arab neglect of what is happening in Syria, especially in the south, will bring disasters to the region due to the spread of Iranian-backed militias on Syria’s southern border. The SOC therefore calls for a unified Arab position to confront the expansionist plans of Iran, which is serving its interests having imposed its hegemony with the facilitation of the Assad regime.
The Assad regime’s takeover of Syrian cities and towns is nothing but military takeover, as the people in all Syrian provinces reject the presence of this regime and its allies. This was evident in Dara’a and As-Suwayda, in addition to the fact that most Syrians preferred to suffer in tents than live under the rule of this criminal regime or under the hateful Iranian expansionist project.