Press Statement

Syrian Coalition Media Office

Istanbul, Turkey

January 1, 2014

The Syrian Coalition condemns the cowardly act of killing border crossing chief, Dr. Hussein al-Suleiman, nom de guerre “Abu Rayyan,” by the Islamic State in Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), in the town of Tel Abiyad, Raqqah province. Before he was executed, Dr. Suleiman was held for 20 days, during which he suffered brutal torture at the hands of the anti-revolution group members.

We offer our condolences to the family of Dr. Suleiman, and we reiterate that ISIS is a terrorist organization with close connections to the terrorist Assad regime. It has become clear that ISIS is an enemy to the Syrian people, shedding Syrian blood and killing innocent civilians on numerous occasions.

The Syrian Coalition calls on those who have joined or allied with ISIS, thinking it is a group committed to the goals of the revolution, to leave the group immediately. ISIS has its own agenda which is definitely neither serving the revolution, nor the Syrian people’s interests.

Hussein Suleiman was a doctor committed to serving his fellow Syrians. He will be missed, but his death will not be in vain as the Syrian people continue to struggle against all forms of tyranny and terrorism in order to gain their freedom and build a democratic pluralistic Syria. We pledge to pursue and hold accountable those responsible for Dr. Suleiman's murder, as well as perpetrators of all crimes against the Syrian people.

We ask for Mercy for our martyrs, health for our wounded, and freedom for our detainees.

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