Press Statement

Syrian Coalition

Istanbul, Turkey

October 26, 2013

The Iraqi government continues to interfere with Syria’s internal affairs. Today, Saturday, October 26, Iraqi soldiers provoked a clash with Free Syrian Army (FSA) brigades stationed at al-Yarubiya border crossing with Iraq.

Iraqi army forces also shelled the al-Yarubiya post, early Saturday, in cooperation with militias of the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG). These units are the armed wing of PYD (an affiliate of the Kurdistan Workers' Party PKK). PYD Militiamen launched a ground offensive on the city of al-Yarubiya and the border crossing of al-Yarubiya and clashed with FSA brigades there, in an attempt to control the Syrian side of the crossing. Iraqi soldiers stationed at the borders assisted PYD militiamen.

The Iraqi government's attack on FSA forces in Yarubiya is a considerable mistake and a blatant and unprecedented interference in Syrian affairs. This intervention comes after a series of indirect violations to Syria’s national sovereignty, by the Iraqi government, as they continue to facilitate the entry of pro-Assad sectarian militias into Syria.

The Syrian Coalition and the General Staff of the FSA pledge to defend the Syrian territories against any aggression, to maintain the geographical unity of Syria, and to preserve its national sovereignty. The militias that attacked FSA bases in the city of Yarubiya will be held accountable.

It has become the duty of the international community and the United Nations to seriously engage in putting pressure on the government of Maliki in Baghdad to stop its blatant interventions in Syria’s internal affairs and withdraw all Iraqi militias from Syria. The international community must support the Syrian Revolution and act in accordance with the aspirations of the Syrian people and not against them; otherwise the entire region will be dragged further into a dark abyss.

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.