Syrian Coalition: International Community is Obliged to Take Action to Stop Assad’s Regime Brutal Onslaught on Eastern Ghouta

Press Release

Syrian Coalition

Media Department

December 5, 2017

The Assad regime has launched a brutal bombing campaign on the Damascus suburb of eastern Ghouta in response to calls for it to return to the negotiating table in Geneva. Towns and villages of eastern Ghouta have been subjected to relentless barbaric bombardment in recent weeks. At least 28 civilians were killed in aerial and artillery bombardment on the towns of Hammouriya, Irbin, Harsta and Masraba on Sunday and Monday.

The ongoing barbaric bombardment on eastern Ghouta indicates that the Assad regime rejects any solution that deals with the core of the conflict, namely freedom from enslavement. It has become clear that as long as it receives support from its allies at the military and diplomatic level, the Assad regime will not take a single step on the path of political transition.

No one can expect criminals to contribute to the success of a solution that might put an end to their crimes. Therefore, the international community is obliged to press towards putting an end to the bloodshed and the criminal policies that the Assad regime has been pursuing since day one.

The Syrian Coalition reiterates its commitment to the principles, goals, and guidelines of the Syrian revolution. Meanwhile, the other party insists on sticking to its murderous polices as long as there is no deterrent to stop it.

The Coalition has already and clearly affirmed that the main objective of the Assad regime's criminal attacks and its violation of agreements, understandings and ceasefires is to undermine all chances of reaching a political solution. The Assad regime exploits the international community’s complete silence about the dozens of crimes committed in recent weeks as well as the ones that have been committed against the Syrian people over the past seven years.

The international community is now obliged more than ever to condemn the crimes of the Assad regime and its allies, to take serious action to stop these crimes and hold those responsible accountable, and to work to salvage the political process in accordance with international resolutions and the Geneva Communiqué of 2012.