Press release
Syrian Opposition Coalition
Department of Media and Communications
June 28, 2021
In 2012, the Assad regime forces and shabiha militia launched large-scale raids and blockades of many towns and villages across Syria, during which they committed horrific massacres, mostly with the use of small arms and knives.
One of the most horrific of those massacres took place in the town of Douma on this day in 2012 when the Assad regime forces and its shabiha militia stormed the town and killed dozens of civilians, including children, women and entire families, and left nearly 150 wounded.
International and independent investigations and reports as well as millions of documents, testimonies and videos have already confirmed the Assad regimeâs responsibility for an endless list of massacres and war crimes, a responsibility that the regime will not be absolved of under any circumstances.
The international community and international actors bear direct responsibility for the crimes being committed by the Assad regime, Russia and Iran against the Syrian people for the past ten years. It is imperative that they take concrete action to put an end to these crimes and prevent impunity for war criminals.
The Syrian Opposition Coalition stresses the need to refer war crimes in Syria to the International Criminal Court in parallel with international efforts to prioritize political transition and holding criminals accountable within a specific time frame.