Today, the Syrian people find themselves once again without official Arab support, after the Arab League’s decision to readmit the murderous Assad regime. The Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC) strongly rejects this decision and expresses deep dissatisfaction with it, emphasizing that it means abandoning the Syrian people and halting support for their just demands. This decision shows an utter disregard for the immense sacrifices they have made over the past 12 years in their fight against injustice, terrorism, and tyranny.

Strengthening the authority of the Assad regime and its Iranian ally in Syria will inevitably lead to more brutality, terrorism, and bloodshed against the Syrian people, who have been fighting for their freedom since 2011.

The SOC notes that the Assad regime did not take Arab demands to stop killing, arresting, and exporting drugs seriously. Moreover, the regime is a key supporter of Iran’s expansionist project in the Arab region. Thus, any hope of changing the murderous behavior of the regime is futile. It is also unacceptable to let the regime get away with the war crimes it committed against the Syrian people.

The SOC stresses that the so-called “step-by-step” approach of the UN envoy has only served to legitimize the survival of the Assad regime. Today, the Arab League’s rehabilitation of the regime is a reward for its crimes, not a return of Syria. It ignores the will of the Syrian people.

The SOC insists on the need for a complete political transition in Syria in accordance with UN Resolution 2254. The regime’s leaders must be brought to trial for their crimes. Any initiative outside the framework of this resolution circumvents the Syrian people’s demands, supports the brutal Assad regime, and surrenders to it and its allies.

The Syrian people will remain steadfast in their goals, principles, and just demands, continuing their revolution until they achieve a new Syria – a Syria of freedom, dignity, democracy, and independence. The SOC renews its confidence in the Arab people, who have never abandoned their Syrian brethren in their revolution and have always stood by them in the path of freedom and dignity. The Syrian people started this journey 12 years ago, and they will continue until they achieve victory.