Syrian Democratic Council issues statement on 11th anniversary of Syrian Revolution

NORTH AND EAST SYRIA — Eleven years have passed since the outbreak of the Syrian Civil War, which was sparked by popular protests which began in Druco (Daraa). On this occasion, the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC) of North and East Syria issued a public statement.

The SDC statement recalled how the initial protests were met with live bullets and excessive use of violence by the security apparatus of the Syrian Ba’athist regime. During the first stages of the protests, security forces detained many of those involved, keeping them imprisoned for many years, with many never to be heard of again.

In the statement, the SDC held the Syrian government accountable for the destruction, displacement, abductions, and deaths of the Syrian people over the last 11 years because Damascus rejected all internal dialogue initiatives for a peaceful solution to the conflict. Rather, the Syrian government pushed for the exacerbation of the crisis. Bashar al-Assad and his allies made Syria a state of violated sovereignty and occupied lands, allowing for the exploitation of the country and its people by regional and international powers.

The SDC reaffirmed its commitment to achieving the freedom demanded of those who gave their lives for it, stating, “The SDC believes that there is no solution for Syria except through a political transition to a democratic, pluralistic and decentralized state that constitutionally guarantees the rights of all national and religious ethnic groups.”

The multi-ethnic, multi-religious administration of North and East Syria called on the international community to support the path democratic transition because it is the only way to save the country and achieve security and stability in the wider region.

In the 11 years of conflict, the civil war has cost the lives of more than half a million people and displaced over half of Syria’s pre-war population of 22 million. Forcing them to flee their homes in search of safety, with many choosing to leave the country, unable to return.