A National Coalition of Organizations Urges International Action to Protect Civilians in Daraa

The attacks on the birthplace of the revolution should be met with international condemnation and action towards a political transition.

WASHINGTON D.C., July 30, 2021 –  The undersigned organizations mourn the victims of the latest Assad regime and Iranian militias offense on civilians in Daraa in southwestern Syria on the border with Jordan. Since late June, Syrian forces have besieged the civilians of Daraa, in violation of the reconciliation agreement brokered by Russia in 2018. The humanitarian organization the White Helmets reported that 18 civilians were massacred in Alyadouda town just today. The undersigned organizations demand that Russia and its client state abide by the agreement and that the United States lead an international effort to prevent the regime and its backers from slaughtering more civilians.

A Coalition of Syrian American Organizations Decry the Sham Elections by the Assad Regime

This week’s Syrian elections are the latest example by Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad of a trend of a lack of free and fair democracy.

WASHINGTON D.C., April 23, 2021 – A coalition of Syrian American organizations denounces the latest round of elections in Syria and makes clear that the elections are part of a fraudulent and illegitimate electoral process that is neither free nor fair. The elections are outside of the framework of transparency and accountability described in United Nations Security Council Resolution 2254 and do not include the voices of all Syrians, especially refugees, internally displaced Syrians, and those in the diaspora.

The Syrian American Council and Americans for a Free Syria Applaud OPCW Decision on Syrian Regime

Wednesday’s OPCW decision to strip the Syrian regime of its privileges of membership represents a historic first step towards accountability for chemical weapons crimes

WASHINGTON D.C., April 23, 2021 –  Today, the Syrian American Council and Americans for a Free Syria applaud the members of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) who voted to strip the Assad regime of its rights and privileges due to the repeated, ongoing use of chemical weapons against civilians in Syria. Though this decision represents an important first step towards accountability, it remains critical that such a largely symbolic motion by the chemical weapon watchdog should be followed by a referral to the United Nations General Assembly for further accountability actions.

The Syrian American Council and Americans for a Free Syria Express Deep Sympathy on the Passing of Michel Kilo

Michel Kilo’s contributions to the revolution will not be forgotten.

WASHINGTON D.C., April 19, 2021 – The Syrian American Council and Americans for a Free Syria today send their sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Michel Kilo on the occasion of his passing. Michel Kilo’s courage and voice as a leader of the Syrian revolution will live on in the next generation who will carry the torch of freedom forward.

The Syrian American Council and Americans for a Free Syria Commemorate the 10th Anniversary of the Syrian Revolution

Ten years after courageous protestors took to the streets in Syria, the Syrian American Council and Americans for a Free Syria recommit to a vision of a free Syria

WASHINGTON D.C., March 15, 2021 –  Today, the Syrian American Council and Americans for a Free Syria pay remembrance to the ten years of hope, loss, and bravery that have characterized the Syrian Revolution. Both organizations work directly with Syrians and Syrian Americans who have demonstrated the utmost courage as they strive for a free and democratic Syria, and together, honor their tireless efforts. 

The Syrian American Council and Americans for a Free Syria Welcome Strikes Against Iran-Backed Terrorist Militias in Syria

The administration’s decision to carry out airstrikes against an Iranian-backed militia in al-Bukamal should be the start of a more assertive foreign policy towards Iran

WASHINGTON D.C., February 27, 2021 – The Syrian American Council and Americans for a Free Syria applaud the Biden administration’s decision to respond to the recent attacks on U.S. interests by Iranian-backed terrorist groups with airstrikes that signal a tough stance on Iran, a position the undersigned organizations hope to see continued through a foreign policy that prioritizes the humanitarian and security situation in Syria. These airstrikes make it clear that strong responses to Iran’s malign activities through its proxies in Syria can - and should - be a consistent feature of the administration’s regional strategy. 

The Syrian American Council and Americans for a Free Syria Applaud Extension and Redesignation of Temporary Protected Status For Syria

6,700 individuals stand to benefit from the extension, and 1,800 individuals stand to benefit from the redesignation

WASHINGTON D.C., January 29, 2021 –  Today, the Syrian American Council and Americans for a Free Syria applaud the Biden administration for its decision to extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nationals of Syria to September 2022, and to redesignate 1,800 individuals, making them eligible to file for TPS. TPS provides protection from deportation and permission to work for eligible nationals of countries that have been designated temporarily too dangerous for return. An estimated 8,500  people are set to benefit from the redesignation and extension. This decision provides a strong starting point for the new administration’s relationship with Syrian Americans and a Syria policy that promotes the safety of Syrian civilians and their aspirations for a free and democratic Syria.

The Syrian American Council Strongly Condemns Attack on United States Capitol

The members, staff, and supporters of the Syrian American Council and Americans for a Free Syria watched in disbelief as the basic values of American democracy were threatened in the Capitol on Wednesday.

WASHINGTON D.C., January 13, 2021 –  The Syrian American Council and Americans for a Free Syria mourn the senseless loss of life and strongly condemn the horrific attack on the U.S. Capitol last week. We also call upon the U.S. government to ensure that those responsible for these heinous crimes are held accountable, and specifically urges Congress to conduct an investigation into the incitement and disinformation which led to the attack.

A Coalition of Syrian American Organizations Decry the Inappropriate Use of “Restorative Justice” by United Nations Syria Envoy

On the anniversary of the passage of the United Nations Security Resolution 2254, a coalition of Syrian American organizations call on the United Nations to pursue accountability for all those responsible for atrocities while following the steps outlined in the resolution that will lead to a peaceful political transition.

WASHINGTON D.C., December 22, 2020 – A coalition of Syrian American organizations advise a recommitment by the United Nations to a political transition that prioritizes accountability as a prerequisite for any national reconciliation as laid out in UNSCR 2254. This comes in light of inaccurate statements on December 16 by the Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, on behalf of the “middle third” of the Constitutional Committee during a United Nations Security Council briefing. The comments erroneously reported that civil society members of the group had called for “restorative justice” instead of “transitional justice” in their talking points. After almost ten years of violence and crimes against humanity by Bashar al-Assad and his criminal regime, restorative justice is not a substitute for an inclusive and Syrian-led political transitional process and should never be used in discussions about the future of Syria.

Syrian American Council Calls for Accountability on Fifth Anniversary of Russian Involvement in Syria

Five years of Russian intervention has brought devastation and suffering to Syria

WASHINGTON D.C., October 1, 2020 – This week marks a somber anniversary for the Syrian people. Five years ago this week, Russia entered the war in Syria to prop up a brutal dictator by bombing the besieged community of Talbiseh in northern Homs, killing 33 civilians. In the resulting years, Russia has formed the pillars of its strategy in Syria, using the pretense of fighting the Islamic State to counter threats to the rule of Bashar- al Assad and bomb civilians in areas controlled by the Free Syrian Army and other opposition groups. The Syrian American Council reiterates calls for the Assad regime to be removed, and for Russia and Iran to withdraw their forces from the country and to return the natural resources and property rights they have pillaged to the Syrian people.