Assad Admits to having Groups Fighting “Within the Ranks of Opposition”

Press Statement

Syrian Coalition

Istanbul, Turkey

December 5, 2013

Arab newspapers reported that lawyers from the Jordanian bar association stated that during a meeting, Assad mentioned to them that he has “allies and fighters working for him even within the ranks of opposition.”

These remarks, by the head of the regime, shed light on some of the violations that took place in liberated areas. Some groups with agendas, that do not serve the Syrian people’s interests, still work for the regime and receive support from it, while claiming to be fighting against it. These groups continuously take actions that have adverse effects on the revolution. Furthermore, they pose a threat not only to Syria but to the whole region.

The Syrian Coalition reaffirms that it will pursue perpetrators of all crimes and violations and will put them on trial. The Syrian Coalition calls on the UN Human Rights Council and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, as well as all international parties concerned, to take into consideration these remarks, by the head of the regime, when examining violations falsely attributed to rebel fighters in Syria.

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.