Syrian Arab News Agency S A N A
Damascus, SANA – Minister of Information Dr. Hamza Al-Mustafa stressed that the ceasefire agreement on Sweida included understandings agreed upon by the Syrian state and the mediators to ensure the halt of the current engagements and prevent their future occurrence, give an opportunity for political solutions under the umbrella of the state.
He underlined that the Syrian state is responsible and committed to protecting all its citizens on the entire Syrian geography.
In a press conference he held on Saturday to address the ceasefire agreement and explain the steps taken by the Syrian state to protect civilians and restrict clashes in Sweida governorate, the Minister said: “The Syrian state responded to the appeals by the international mediators to avoid any military confrontation and open warfare that would hinder Syria’s developmental path, where it redeployed its forces and allowed the mediators to implement the understandings related to stopping the fighting and achieving security.
“However, the armed groups pursued an alternative path, manifested in acts of revenge and systematic displacement that threatens demographic change in the region by targeting members of the Bedouin tribes in Sweida, the thing which triggered resistance and led to mobilization and clashes in and out of the city”, al-Mustafa added.
“To confront this situation and to prevent more deterioration toward permanent burnup, a ceasefire was announced that includes understandings agreed upon by the mediators with the Syrian state, to ensure the halt of the current engagements and prevent their future occurrence, give an opportunity for political solutions under the umbrella of the state”, the Minister said.
al-Mustafa stated that “The agreement includes three stages, the first of which is the deployment of ISF to avoid any engagement in the western and northern countryside of Sweida. The second is to allow humanitarian corridors between Daraa and Sweida to secure the exit of civilians, the wounded and injured and anyone who desires to leave Sweida”, al-Mustafa addded.
Dr. Al-Mustafa disclosed that “a multi-ministries and governmental agencies emergency committee has been established to bring in humanitarian and medical aid, provide basic services and repair infrastructure. In this phase, work will be done to release all detained Bedouin residents who are currently in areas controlled by outlawed groups and work detainee’s swap”.
Al-Mustafa said that “The third stage to begin after the consolidation of the truce, and will include the activation of the Syrian state’s institutions and the gradual deployment of ISF in Sweida in accordance with the agreements concluded, in a way that ensure the return of normal life and law enforcement”. That is the path that Sweida needs in the aftermath of months of tension and exhaustion. The Syrian state has always worked on this path carefully, in response to its national duty and adherence to the unity of the country and its people”.
Al-Mustafa reiterated “the Syrian state’s responsibility to protect all its citizens. The Syrian state calls for the adoption of a national rhetoric free of sectarianism or incitement and rises above all divisions”. He stressed that “the Syrian state has pledged to hold accountable all who committed violations and abuses very soon”.
Al-Mustafa emphasized that “the nonpresence of the Syrian state posed a problem, while its presence is the solution,” The Syrian state sought political solutions in reflection to its desire to achieve understandings and integrate the majority of the factions present in Sweida within its security and military agencies, but some outlawed groups violated these understandings and invoked foreign interventions to create some kind of cantons within the governorate.
Dr. Al-Mustafa said “The defunct regime adopted societal divisions as a survival strategy, that matter makes the transitional process difficult”. He stated that “Establishing a unified army needs some time, which is a gradual task that faces many hurdles”. However, the Syrian policy relies on three pillars: unified country, one government and one unified army. These principles cannot be abandoned neither in the present nor in the future” he said.
Amer Dhawa
