Press release
Syrian Opposition Coalition
Department of Media and Communications
May 07, 2021
US President Joe Biden’s decision to extend the national emergency with respect to the sanctions imposed on the Assad regime came at an important timing to reaffirm the United States’ commitment to its stance towards the regime as the source of terrorism and a threat to its national security, economy and foreign policy, as well as a generator of chaos and instability.
The decision to extend the national emergency, which refers to various restrictions which Washington has gradually imposed against the Assad regime since 2004, has further exposed the terrorist nature and structure of the Assad regime, its generic relationship with terrorist organizations, and its role in spreading chaos and devastation across the region and beyond. It also denoted the absence of any hope that the regime might change its behavior, which means that the only option before the world is to establish an international mechanism for the implementation of UN resolutions on Syria, including UN resolution 2254 and holding war criminals accountable.
Moreover, the decision sends as an important message to all parties thinking of rehabilitating the regime or restoring relations with it under any pretext. Indeed, whoever extends their hands to the Assad regime will be tainted by its crimes and atrocities, and will risk being viewed as enablers of criminals and enemies of international law and resolutions. They will also risk being targeted by the sanctions imposed on those who deal with the regime.
We reaffirm the importance of the US role in supporting the Syrian people and helping end the Assad regime and Russian obstruction of political solution.
