Press Statement Original in arabic

Syrian Coalition

Media Office

December 22, 2016

Since the start of the Syrian revolution, the militias of the Democratic Union Party (PYD) have pursued policies aimed at silencing all free voices that stood by the Syrian people with all their components. The PYD's policies echo the repressive, criminal policies of the Assad regime.

On Monday, December 19, militants of the PYD kidnapped activists and members of the Kurdistan Democratic Party-Syria in an attempt to break their will and force them to change their positions. After failing to force them to join the PYD ranks, militants of the PYD set fire to a tent housing those activists and members. Activists Ezzat Muhammad, Abdo Habash, and Mohsen Khalil died as a result, while others suffered serious injuries.

The Syrian Coalition strongly condemns this crime and other crimes committed against civilians and members of the Kurdistan Democratic Party-Syria. The Coalition warns of the continuation of these repressive policies aimed at terrorizing , displacing Syrians and suppressing their aspirations for freedom.

The Syrian Coalition offers sincere condolences to the families of the victims and wishes the wounded a speedy recovery. It underscores that this crime and all the other crimes committed against the Syrian people will not go unpunished. All countries that have leverage over the PYD militias must stop covering up their crimes and stopping them from committing further abuses and crimes against activists and civilians.