Istanbul, 30 September 2022 — It's been seven years since the Russian intervention in Syria, an intervention the Syrian regime and Russia term as "war on terror", which in reality was never anything but a war on the Syrian people themselves. After losing control of most of Syria's territory, the Syrian regime was on the verge of collapsing, and the Russian intervention drastically changed the balance of power on the ground and in the air.
The Russian intervention in Syria, which allegedly was to "fight terrorism" and "liberate" areas the regime lost, ended up in the Syrian regime and Russia in fact waging a war on the Syrian people and "liberating" cities and towns from their people.
When in 2015 the Syrian regime lost (most) of Syria's territory, Bashar Assad requested an intervention from Vladimir Putin to save his regime. The Russian intervention tipped the balance of power towards the Syrian regime, which, despite possessing lethal weapons, an army and fierce security apparatus, was losing control of the country as a result of the Syrian people's strong will and courage to refuse living without dignity and freedom.
The war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by Russia, particularly its attacks on hospitals, IDP camps and residential neighborhoods, have not only caused the displacement and misery of millions of Syrians, but is also impeding any chances of safe returns. The situation in reconciliation areas, like Daraa and Eastern Ghouta, are proof that Russia's model of safety and security is nothing but a scheme to trap the returning displaced Syrians into a continued repression, while attracting funds for reconstruction.
As long as the Syrian regime and Russia continue pursuing their policies unabated, there can be no fruitful talks about the return of the displaced Syrians, the creation of a safe environment or the conclusion of a comprehensive political solution in Syria.
We stress that neither the Syrian regime nor Russia can be guarantors of any peace or security in Syria – this fact must be well accepted. The main drivers of displacement cannot be part of creation of safe environment in Syria. International community, especially refugee hosting countries, must work towards achieving a comprehensive political solution with a safe environment in Syria that guarantees the safe, dignified and voluntary return of Syrians, and use all available diplomatic and economic leverage to do that. The situation in Ukraine showed us that such leverage exists and can be used when there is political will.
Russia has proven throughout the years that it cannot be a guarantor of any peace talks on Syria, as it is a complicit in all crimes by Syrian regime and Iran, not only on the ground, but also in international platforms where it continues to use the veto to manipulate and politicize much needed humanitarian aid to northern Syria.
It is quite unfathomable that the world who sees Russia as an aggressor in Ukraine would even consider it as a guarantor of any peace efforts in Syria. As long as Russia is not held accountable for its crimes, it will not stop in Syria and Ukraine, but its sway will expand to other regions as well.