July 28, 2018•Update: July 29, 2018
By Gulsum Incekaya
ISTANBUL
The Syrian opposition have warned that the forced evacuations by regime forces in the country’s southwestern Daraa province aims to change the demographic structure in the area.
“The Assad regime, backed by Iran, began the forced evacuation in Daraa. The same scenario took place in Eastern Ghouta and Homs before,” Abdurrahman Mustafa, the chairman of the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces, told a press conference on Friday.
“As a result of this forced migration policy, there is now a large population density in Idlib,” he said.
Mustafa said that since the U.S. left the areas where it was a guarantor country, “the regions have left to their fate”.
The opposition leader said the Turkish presence in Idlib as a guarantor country is the “only solution” to the problem.
“Turkey is already in Syrian lands to assure security,” he said.
“Since the revolution, Turkey has taken a stance by the Syrian people and fulfilled its responsibilities in line with international agreements,” he said. “Should Turkey maintains a presence in Idlib as a guarantor country, what has happened in Daraa and other regions will not be repeated again.”
Mustafa said the Syrian opposition believes in a political solution to the conflict in Syria.
“The Syrian people will ultimately win despite the regime gains on the ground,” he said. “The Syrian people will continue the struggle until their demands are met.”
The opposition leader said the military balance in Syria has shifted greatly between 2014 and 2018. “Nevertheless, that doesn't mean the regime has won. The regime expanded its lands thanks to the support of Iran and Russia," he said.
Turkish support
The opposition leader said areas from where PYD/PKK terrorist group was cleared have greatly improved.
"We have visited Euphrates Shield zone and Afrin and saw how much conditions have improved there under Turkey's control," he said.
He said that Turkey has brought peace and stability to these regions.
"Health and education services have been provided,” he said. “Turkey has brought public order and peace.”
He said the Turkish Red Crescent and Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) were also working in the areas. “The Syrian regime and allies are not comfortable with the Turkish presence here, but they will never reach their goals," he said.
The Syrian opposition leader said the U.S. and UN members have left Syria alone, unlike Turkey.
“Turkey is the only country that stands by the Syrian opposition,” he said.
Mustafa said Turkish military operations Euphrates Shield and Olive Branch have both achieved security along Turkish border and created a safe zone for Syrian civilians.
“What happened there was based on mutual interests,” he said. “Turkey supported us to maintain Syria's territorial integrity and we coordinated with Turkey.”
He said the Syrian opposition has formed seven local assemblies in Afrin.
“We, hopefully, will do the same in Manbij,” he said. “If the deal between the U.S. and Turkey is put into force, the Syrian opposition will act together with Turkey. We will support steps taken towards establishing local assemblies in the region, just like Afrin," he said.
*Ali Murat Alhas contributed to this story in Ankara
