Assad Regime’s Intensified Air Campaign

Press Statement

Hadi al-Bahra

President of the Syrian Coalition

November 2, 2014

We strongly condemn the regime’s latest intensified air campaign across Syria. According to reports by monitoring groups, the regime, in the last two weeks, has dropped more than 400 barrel bombs on rebel-controlled areas, killing hundreds of civilians.

Emboldened by the distraction of the anti-ISIS campaign and encouraged by the shameful continued silence and appalling indifference to its crimes, the Assad regime targeted an IDP camp in Idlib last week, killing more than 70 civilians.

The US-led coalition needs to make it clear that the campaign against ISIS is not benefitting the Assad regime. A comprehensive strategy that deals with all aspects of the conflict in Syria will certainly have more efficient viable results. Constant coordination with moderate opposition forces on the ground, among which a deep sense of frustration is growing, is of paramount importance to achieving that goal.

Also, a no-fly zone along the border with Turkey, while covering the northern parts of Syria, will be vital to making sure the regime’s airplanes cannot use its airpower to barrel bomb these areas into destruction.

A transition to democracy has become extremely pressing in Syria. A transitional governing body with full executive powers in Syria will be the first step towards combating extremism and achieving sustainable peace in the region