A Syrian plea

I received today this “Statement to the Public Opinion from Syrian Political & Civil Forces”:

Supported by Russia, al-Assad Regime continues the mobilization of its forces around Idlib Governorate and its countryside, to complete the Russian plans of a military windup and fait accompli imposition.

We, being Syrian institutions, organizations and activists, condemning the statements of the Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, that plainly justify a military invasion by the Regime and its allies and call for the United Nations’ participation in the resulting forced displacement, we remind everyone that any military action on Idlib, under any designation or pretext, threatens the life and safety of more than 3 million civilians, who approximately half of them were forcibly displaced from other areas fleeing the military operations of al-Assad Regime and its allies.

Signatories of this Statement call on the International Community, in general, and the United Nations and Security Council members, in particular, to undertake their responsibilities in protecting the civilians and preventing war crimes against them.

Committing ourselves into finding solutions for the protection of civilians and guarantee of their safety, we propose that the international community:

– Provide the needed support to the local actors in Idlib in order to eliminate any extremist forces in the area, in parallel with preventing al-Assad’s forces, Iran and Russia from exploiting the situation to achieve any gains on the ground and forcing them to respect the De-escalation Agreement by ceasing any land or aerial bombardments on the area.

– Support the local civic institutions, to manage the area and begin the reconstruction process, as well as to establish a free democratic model that represents the desires and expectations of the people.

The International Community and United Nations have lost many opportunities to save the Syrian People from numerous crimes committed against it, and to hold the perpetrators accountable. Despite our great frustration and lack of trust in the international entities, we still hope that these institutions and current international system undertake their responsibilities this time to save the Syrian People from further crimes and disasters.

Signatories:

1. Ahl Horan

2. Ahrar – The Working Group for Syria

3. Al Kawakibi Organization for Human Rights

4. Al Sharqia Patriotic Grouping – Political Committee

5. Assyrian Democratic Organization

6. Baytna Syria

7. Damir Movement

8. Free Syria

9. General Union of Syrian Students

10. Ghaith Charitable Organization

11. Idlib Political Committee

12. Idlib Provincial Council

13. Idlib Revolutionary Movement Committee

14. Local Development and Small-Projects Support (LDSPS)

15. Muatana Current

16. Rethink Rebuild Society

17. Shaml Syria Civil Society Coalition

18. Sound and Picture Organization

19. Syrian Declaration for National and Democratic Change

20. Syrian Democratic Coalition

21. Syrian Democratic Movement

22. Syrian Network for Human Rights

23. Syrian Patriotic Coalition

24. Syrian Patriotic Democratic Coalition

25. Syrian Women Network

26. Syrians Coalition

27. The Day After Association

28. The Patriotic Coalition of the Revolutionary Forces of Hassaka

29. The Syrian Women’s Political Movement

30. Together Movement for a Free and Democratic Syria

31. Watan Plan

32. Zaiton Magazine