Interview by Abdullah Raja; Translation by Yusra Ahmed
Kasem Saad Eddine, the FSA spokesman, the member of the Higher Military council and first defected Colonel pilot revealed to Zaman Alwasl many details about dismissing Salim Idriss and the coast front besides many issues
The Pilot thinks that the Higher Military Council and Abdul-Ilah al-Bashir, the new Chief of Staff and the Minister of Defense, beside Jamal Maarouf, the leader of Syrian Rebels’ front and a member in Protecting Civilians Authority and al-Farouq battalion are the military representatives of the Syrian revolution in this recent period.
In regard to Salim Idriss’s dismissal, the spokesman confirmed it was lawful and legal as the Higher Military council has the eligibility to elevate the military rank, segregate, or dismiss the Chief of Staff. “The council elevated Idris's rank from a General to o Major General, how can we elevate his rank, but not dismiss him” confirmed.
He added that 22 member of the council signed the dismissal decision, while only 18 members out of 30 is needed to consider the decision legal.
Saad Eddine does not see in Idris’s dismissal any negative effects on the opposition and the revolution, as it was found that Idris failed in achieving victory in field, moreover, influence of ISIS and al-Nusra front increased at the expense of the FSA.
The Colonel confirmed that he does not suspect Idris’s intentions and honesty, and the thinks he definitely did not want that to happen, but he worked for the outsiders.
Saad Eddine confirmed that dismissal decision is exclusively national and no outsider dictate the opposition to do so, “to contrast, we are now being punished from some countries for not consulting them about the dismissal decision,” he affirmed.
Saad Eddine considered the Islamic Front’s invasion to the Military Staff building and the arms store, which was followed with no condemnation, as a proof of Idris’s incompetence to the role was given to him. Although the invasion cost the opposition 400 tons of arms, Idriss confirmed that no arms were taken away. “Once again, I did not suspect his honesty, but there are many notes on Idris’s performance,” he confirmed.
Saad Eddine confirmed that Saudi Arabia had nothing to do with dismissing Idriss, to opposite, it did its best to prevent that from happening 8 months ago.
The Colonel confessed that relationship between Ahmed Jarba, the President of the National Coalition, and Asaad Mostafa from one side, and Idris from the other was not good, because the later used to ignore the Ministry of Defense’s orders and opinions, , but the Colonel did not considered what happened as a coup.
The Higher Military Council member confirmed that no one is protected from being judged even the head of the higher Military council, and judgment for Abdul Ilah Bashir will start the moment the arms supply resumed.
In regard to choosing Bashir to lead the Higher Military council, he explained that choice was not planned or dictated by any party or country. “The story that we wanted to put a substitute to Idris to prevent pressure on us to return him. It was me who chose Bashir for that position, he is very expert and educated in military science, beside he is a ground forces leader and the head of the Military council in Qonaitra, he lost his son in the war and did not leave Syria. Bashir knew about his new position by media only” Saad Eddine detailed.
About the fact that most defected colonels, sergeants and soldiers preferred to live in Turkey including himself, Saad Eddine mentioned that he was the first pilot defected from the Syrian regime’s Air forces, and the first Colonel to stay in Syria in Homs, and he formed the first military council and became the representative of the FSA, besides Rastan was the first Liberated town in Syria and raised the revolution flags in 5th Feb 2012. “I stayed in Rastan for a year and my location was bombed wherever I go, my house and farm were destroyed and many housed in the areas were destroyed because of that, till my friends advised me to leave Rastan, otherwise all the town will be on ground. It is not required from a leader in the Higher Military Council to fight on ground, there are many battalions who I coordinate with, and communicate on daily basis. Most Battalions I formed still in Rastan, I did not run away, I only manage the battle from my place” he commented.
In regard to opening the Coast front, the spokesman sees it was a need to ease pressure from other fronts, and revealed that al-Nusra front started it in Kasab battle then the other battalions followed, he confirmed that there was some support to the front, and more is following.
In regard to delay in liberating Idlib, and Aleppo still bombed with explosive barrels despite the big amount of arms under Jamal Maarouf’s control, he explained that delay resulted from the lack of coordination within the armed opposition in Idlib. He added arms under Maarouf’s control were used to fight ISIS, and arms are now forwarded to Coast front.
Saad Eddine denied any recent disagreement between him and Mostafa Sabbagh, but confessed that previously and during Antalya conference when the Higher Military Council was to be established, Sabbagh attended instead of Moa’az al-Khatib where he said that they -the Coalition- were the authority and Legitimacy and without them the Military council will not be be established, which was annoying to the council. Saad Eddine revealed that later he demanded in a statement for the Military Council to be represented by 50% in the Coalition, and he had 15 names, which later supported Jarba in election against Sabbagh. “Now I do not have any disagreement with him, as the coalition has become more stable and harmonious,” he concluded.
In regard to “Overthrowing Jarba” campaign, he revealed for the first time that some people paid $ one Million to support the campaign.
The Colonel Pilot does not feel that the Coalition has till now been up to expectation as a representative to the revolution, as he feels most of his members aim for positions and power, besides they did not suffer like Syrian people on ground. Having said that, he confirms that he is not against any person in the Coalition, but he is against some bad practices.
About the gulf countries’ support, especially Qatar and Saudi Arabia, he confessed that they were the biggest supporters to Syrian revolution and their agreement with each other will positively reflect on the Syrian revolution, and he wishes they unite their support against the Syrian regime. In the same time, the spokesman thanks the neighboring countries like Turkey and Jordan for sheltering the Syrian refugees.
He describes his relationship with Monaf Tlas as good, because Monaf did not participate in any military operation against the Syrian civilians, and if he had done that he would have not had a good relationship with him.
The Colonel thinks that best way to unite the military and political sides of the revolution would be by uniting the Arab support to the Syrian revolution in General, and the Gulf countries in particular, as harmony and agreement among them would be of good effects of uniting the revolution forces.
In the end, he expressed his pride for being the first pilot to defect from the Syrian regime, beside his gratitude for the “Eagle” title the rebels gave him.
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