Press release
Syrian Opposition Coalition
Department of Media and Communications
March 15, 2021
The Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC) welcomes the fresh round of sanctions that the UK imposed on allies of the Assad regime as it expresses its confidence in the UK’s commitment to helping the Syrian people at the diplomatic, political and humanitarian levels. We look forward to more effective British steps in cooperation with the US and the European Union, and we see that the United Kingdom is qualified to play a pivotal role in achieving a political solution and ensuring the transfer of power to a transitional governing body with full powers in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions, especially Resolutions 2118 and 2254.
The British sanctions, which targeted specific individuals with very close ties to the Assad regime, will have a direct impact on these individuals. We look forward to international parties imposing severe economic sanctions against Russian and Iranian interests, and on individuals involved in war crimes and crimes against humanity in Syria.
The Assad regime has a proven track record of crimes and terrorist acts, and previously threatened Britain which severed diplomatic relations with the regime for the first time in 1986 in response to the regime’s sponsorship of terrorism.
The SOC is following the issue of sanctions imposed on the regime through a specialized department, and looks forward to strengthening its cooperation with the British government to ensure that these sanctions yield effective results, and to track the regime’s attempts to dodge sanctions through front and fake companies.
The SOC stresses that sanctions must focus on the Assad regime and its pillars while sparing Syrian civilians.
The steps required from the international community are based on legal, legitimate foundations issued by the UN Security Council, chief among them is UN Resolution 2254, which guarantees a transition to a civil democratic system of rule that guarantees freedoms and rights for all the people of Syria.
We also stress the need to link the Western sanctions directly to serious steps by the Assad regime and its allies towards agreeing to a political solution, including taking practical steps towards the release of detainees.
Indeed, the Assad regime is the main obstacle to a solution. It can push the political process forward and open the door to improving conditions and relieving pressure on the Syrian people.
