FSA founder: Assad and his allies want to repeat Homs scenario in Aleppo

(Zaman Al Wasl)- Colonel Riad al-Asaad, one of the most prominent founders of the Free Syrian Army said the al-Assad regime and its allies Russian and the Iranian militias want to repeat the Homs scenario in the norther Syrian city of Aleppo which is living a reality of repeated civilian massacres. 

In a statement to Zaman al-Wasl, Colonel al-Asaad clarified that what happens in Aleppo is an attempt by the al-Assad regime and its allies to re-enact the Homs scenario forcing civilians from their homes to create a population and demographic change in the city and bring Shiite militias from Iran to settle in the country. He mentioned the example of al-Qasir in Homs as well as Daraya city in western Damascus. 

Al-Asaad added that the Syrian resistance factions are aware of what is happening in Aleppo which is being subjected to severest bombardment. He indicated that in prior meetings between the faction commanders the issue was raised.

To counter this plan, the factions have increased military coordination recently to unify ranks and joint military action. The increased coordination comes after the success of the battle to break the siege of Aleppo which started with liberating the colleges south of Aleppo and other areas which changed the power balance in the area resulting in a victory. 

Al-Asaad refused to depend on the political opposition outside of Syria considering at the same time that the major countries messing with the Syrian scene have offered the al-Assad regime time to complete its plans and execute its crimes. 

He clarified that the military factions on the ground are the ones with the final say, and that only the resistance faction commanders will be able to break the siege and stop the bombing against civilians in Syria. 

He indicated that the coming days will be the start of a military operation that begins with tightening the ranks and countering the aggression against Aleppo, and on the fronts in Hama, Latakia and other area. 

Al-Asaad indicated that the regime is at its end, and there is no doubt that the militias they brought over from Iran, Hezbollah, and others are the ones defending the regime’s positions with Russian support will leave as the land is for Syrians and they will return to it. 

In this context, al-Asaad confirmed that the residents and rebels of Daraya, whom he described as heros, will return to their city. 

He commended their resistance in the face of the bombardment they have been exposed to. He added that he met with them recently and asked them to unify their ranks and coordinate with the remaining factions until the day of return to Daraya.