Civilians are Victims of Regime Bombing and the International community’s Inability to Protect Them

Press Statement

Salem al-Meslet

Spokesman for the Syrian Coalition

August 12, 2015

The continual criminal policy pursued by Assad lays responsibility on the international community to protect civilians by all means, primarily through the establishing of safe zones. Throughout the past two days, regime forces committed a series of massacres that claimed the lives of more than 120 civilians and left hundreds more wounded after Assad’s air force targeted Idlib, Ma'arret Misrin Saqba, Douma Drayyaa and other areas.

As the international anti-terror coalition continues to conduct strikes in Syria, civilian casualties were reported because of these attacks, especially in the town of Atmeh yesterday. This incident definitely requires explanation, investigation and accountability.

The actual condemnation of the regime's crimes, in addition to reviewing the international coalition’s strategy must be accompanied by a firm will to set up a safe zone to put an end to the Assad regime’s aerial supremacy as its air force continues to bomb civilians and residential areas. A safe zone is also needed to effectively curb the movement of terrorist organizations, thus leading to restoring security which have been shattered by the Assad regime and terrorist organizations and also to control the chaos caused by the daily aerial bombardment. Consequently, these measures will create a margin of civil and political action and will allow for taking the initiative, which is one of the preludes to the political solution.

The international community has a responsibility to provide the necessary protection for Syrians and to stop the bombing and destruction rather than increasing their suffering and pain.