The Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC) congratulates the Syrian people on the seventy-seventh anniversary of Evacuation Day, a turning point in Syria’s history. On April 17, 1946, the Syrian people achieved their independence through sacrifice, steadfastness, and courage, which marked the beginning of a new phase in the country’s history.
Recalling the efforts made by the Syrian people to achieve independence inspires them to continue their struggle in the Syrian revolution against the Assad regime until they obtain their freedom and establish a new Syria that embodies the values of freedom, justice, and decent living.
The SOC condemns the Assad regime’s seizure of power over fifty years ago, which is a real occupation of the Syrian people and a regression to their civilization and history. The regime has practiced the worst forms of occupation throughout history by suppressing freedoms, abolishing political pluralism, banning political parties, restricting civil and social forces, ruling with barbarism, backwardness, and repression, and plundering the country’s resources for the benefit of the Assad family and its related corrupt class. The regime’s security services continue to terrorize the Syrian people, causing a brain drain of hundreds of people and alienating cultural and political elites from decision-making centers.
Today, the Syrian people are striving for a new independence from the Assad regime which handed over the country to Russia, Iran, and sectarian militias. The regime has empowered its allies in many regions under its control as a reward for their participation in the crimes it committed against the Syrian people.
The international community must genuinely support the aspirations of the Syrian people to ensure their independence and rid them of the numerous occupation forces brought in by the Assad regime. This can be achieved through the implementation of UN resolutions on Syria, especially Resolution 2254. The international community must also urge the regime to stop procrastinating, which has further complicated the Syrian crisis and deepened the wounds of the Syrian people by prolonging their suffering.
May our wounded recover, our detainees be free, and our fallen heroes rest in peace.
Long live Syria and its people, free and with honor.
