Salute to our People Rising Up Against Onslaught on Idlib & UN Envoy’s Latest Remarks

Press release

Syrian Coalition

Department of Media and Communications

September 1, 2018

The Syrian Coalition salutes the Syrian people who took part in demonstrations that swept across many Syrian cities and towns to express their rejection of any Russian aggression against any part of our homeland and to reaffirm their full solidarity with Idlib in the face of the Assad regime's threats to storm the region and displace its population.

The Friday demonstrations called on the Free Syrian Army groups to unite. Demonstrators also reiterated the demands to overthrow the Assad regime as they reaffirmed commitment to the Syrian revolution’s goals for freedom, justice and dignity and the establishment of a democratic, civil state. Protestors also expressed their outright rejection of the threats being made by Russia and the Assad regime to attack Idlib province.

Alongside these threats, the UN envoy to Syria, Staffan de Mistura, made shocking, reprehensible remarks that seemed as precursor to the Assad regime and Russia's aggression against civilians in Idlib.

The Syrian Coalition calls upon the United Nations to take a firm stand against these remarks as they pave the way for possible crimes by Russia, the Iranian militias, and the Assad regime against civilians in Idlib.

As these demonstrations revived the spirit of the revolution and once again demonstrated its distinct peaceful, civilian aspect, the remarks made on Thursday by de Mistura showed a lack of commitment and contradicted his role as a UN mediator. These remarks need to be corrected and action needs to be taken in line with the political challenges by prioritizing the protection of civilians and preventing their displacement.