An influential bloc within the Western-backed
Syrian opposition decided on Saturday to shun talks aimed at ending the nearly
three-year conflict, citing the international community’s inaction.
Syrian opposition decided on Saturday to shun talks aimed at ending the nearly
three-year conflict, citing the international community’s inaction.
The Syrian National Council has opposed attending
the January 22 negotiations, dubbed “Geneva 2”, because it says world
powers have not done enough to force President Bashar al-Assad to cede power.
the January 22 negotiations, dubbed “Geneva 2”, because it says world
powers have not done enough to force President Bashar al-Assad to cede power.
Assad’s forces have recently been gaining ground
against the moderate rebel fighters backed by the opposition and he faces little
pressure to make concessions. At the same time, radical Islamists distrusted by
the West have taken a bigger role in the campaign to oust Assad.
against the moderate rebel fighters backed by the opposition and he faces little
pressure to make concessions. At the same time, radical Islamists distrusted by
the West have taken a bigger role in the campaign to oust Assad.
“After looking at the issue from a political,
military and humanitarian angle … the general secretary (the Council’s
43-strong decision-making body) failed to see any encouragement or clear agenda
based on which the meeting can succeed,” it said in a statement,
reaffirming a previous decision not to go to Geneva 2 “based on current
conditions”.
military and humanitarian angle … the general secretary (the Council’s
43-strong decision-making body) failed to see any encouragement or clear agenda
based on which the meeting can succeed,” it said in a statement,
reaffirming a previous decision not to go to Geneva 2 “based on current
conditions”.
The council is part of a broader opposition
coalition which is due to make its final decision on whether to attend the
Geneva 2 talks on Monday. The opposition meetings are taking place in Turkey,
which strongly backs the anti-Assad campaign.
coalition which is due to make its final decision on whether to attend the
Geneva 2 talks on Monday. The opposition meetings are taking place in Turkey,
which strongly backs the anti-Assad campaign.
The council decision to shun Geneva could increase
pressure on the fractious coalition – which has said it is ready to attend in
principle – but will not necessarily force its hand.
pressure on the fractious coalition – which has said it is ready to attend in
principle – but will not necessarily force its hand.
Syria was plunged into civil war after an uprising
against Assad erupted in March 2011 and descended into an armed insurgency
after the army cracked down on protests.
against Assad erupted in March 2011 and descended into an armed insurgency
after the army cracked down on protests.
More than 100,000 people have been killed, more
than 2 million refugees have fled abroad and another 6.5 million are displaced
inside Syria.
than 2 million refugees have fled abroad and another 6.5 million are displaced
inside Syria.
The coalition wants the talks in Switzerland to
create a transitional authority for Syria in which Assad plays no role, but his
government says it will not surrender power and that the president will remain
in control.
create a transitional authority for Syria in which Assad plays no role, but his
government says it will not surrender power and that the president will remain
in control.
JAILED WOMEN AND CHILDREN
The opposition group has also called on authorities
to release women and children from Syrian jails and for humanitarian corridors
into besieged rebel towns, pleas which the council says have been ignored.
to release women and children from Syrian jails and for humanitarian corridors
into besieged rebel towns, pleas which the council says have been ignored.
“Nothing has changed since we decided against
the talks about a month ago except the situation on the ground has become even
more complex and the international community has done nothing to ease the
humanitarian crisis,” said council member Abdulrahman Alhaj.
the talks about a month ago except the situation on the ground has become even
more complex and the international community has done nothing to ease the
humanitarian crisis,” said council member Abdulrahman Alhaj.
Moderate rebel fighters have been losing ground to
Assad’s forces at the same time as facing increasing pressure from radical
groups linked to al Qaeda and a newly formed Islamic Front, which is also
fighting Assad.
Assad’s forces at the same time as facing increasing pressure from radical
groups linked to al Qaeda and a newly formed Islamic Front, which is also
fighting Assad.
The president, who a year ago was battling rebels
for control of the capital, has regained territory around Damascus and central
Syria, backed by Shi’ite Iraqi fighters, Lebanese Hezbollah guerrillas and
Iranian military commanders.
for control of the capital, has regained territory around Damascus and central
Syria, backed by Shi’ite Iraqi fighters, Lebanese Hezbollah guerrillas and
Iranian military commanders.
“How can the international community expect to
influence Assad in political negotiations if it can’t even get him to lift
blockades?” Alhaj said, referring to large areas which remain under siege
with no access to humanitarian agencies.
influence Assad in political negotiations if it can’t even get him to lift
blockades?” Alhaj said, referring to large areas which remain under siege
with no access to humanitarian agencies.
