The Syrian situation has taken a new turn in the autumn of 2016 with the “end of the Russian-American understanding,” as the Russian President Vladimir Putin recently put it.
The escalation in Aleppo comes in light of that. The National Coordination Committee believes that the parties to the military conflict in Aleppo do not want a political solution, but indeed a military resolution in one direction or another. In this regard, the National Coordination Committee believes that there is no military solution for Syria and that the only possible solution is a political solution based upon the Geneva 1 declaration, which includes a political transition with the participation of the authorities and the opposition towards a new governing political system for Syria which overcomes the current situation into which the Syrian crisis has led. The regime and Russia’s escalation in Aleppo, which we reject, does not give the High Negotiations Committee the right to demand the arming of the fronts, escalate the fighting in Syria, and exceed its specific role in negotiations, because the High Negotiations Committee is not a political entity.
The National Coordination Committee in light of the new political circumstances, characterized by an escalation of violence and a clash of arms, still believes it is necessary to not close the gates on a political solution in accordance with the Geneva 1 declaration and based on the international resolutions in this respect (resolution 2118 of the year 2013, and resolution 2254 of the year 2015).
It believes it is necessary to revive the truce once more in Aleppo and elsewhere and remove the fighters of Jabhat Fateh al-Sham and permit international organizations to enter the eastern districts, and to bring out wounded and sick and treat them, in accordance with the initiative of the special representative Staffan de Mistura and the members of his mission, to stop the bombardment by Russian aircraft and the regime warplanes in Aleppo.
The National Coordination Committee will continue its efforts with democratic forces to work toward forming a front including national opposition forces with converging visions and positions, and its adherence to a political negotiating solution along with the preparation of a second national conference to save Syria in Damascus with international guarantees.
The National Coordination Committee condemns the bombardment of schools in northern Syria by regime warplanes and its allies and others, and considers this an act which breaches existing humanitarian standards and the respect for Syrian citizens, while it also rejects any international or regional military intervention in Syria, or the raising of any flag but the Syrian flag.
This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
