Syrian Coalition Condemns Beheading of a Child Fighter North of Aleppo

Press Release Orginal in arabic

Syrian Coalition

July 20, 2016

The Syrian Coalition was deeply shocked by the horrific photos showing the beheading of a child by fighters of Nouraddin Zenki Movement, one of the armed opposition groups operating north of Aleppo.

The Syrian Coalition praises the statement released by Nouraddin Zenki Movement condemning the crime on Wednesday, stressing the need for adhering to the content of the statement.

The Coalition will follow up on all legal procedures the movement pledged it will take to punish the perpetrators of this crime that must not be tolerated.

We call on the Nouraddin Zenki Movement to coordinate with the legal authorities of the Syrian interim government in order to ensure a transparent and fair investigation into the crime and that appropriate punishment is given to the perpetrators.

The Coalition once again urges all the Free Syrian Army factions to reiterate full commitment to international laws and conventions. It also calls for not tolerating violations or abuses of any kind or condoning any act that contravenes the principles of the revolution and the aspirations of the Syrian people who have risen up demanding freedom, dignity and justice.

The barbaric crimes of the Assad regime as well as the Russian and Iranian invaders are undoubtedly the cause of chaos reigning in large areas of Syria.

The international community needs to take concrete, serious action to respond to child recruitment taking place within the ranks of regime forces and the Iranian-backed foreign militias. Child recruitment in Assad’s unjust war on the Syrian people has long been exposed and is known to everyone.

The Coalition holds the Assad regime and its Iranian ally mainly responsible for this crime as the Ayatollah regime has not stopped issuing fatwas to encourage the recruiting of fighters into the militias they send to Syria, including children, under purely sectarian slogans. Nonetheless, the Coalition stresses that crimes of the Assad regime and its allies should not be used as an excuse to ignore mistakes or abuses that are detrimental to the revolution and its principles.

Mercy for the fallen heroes, recovery for the wounded, and freedom for the detainees.

Long live Syria and its people, free and with honor.