The speech of the dissident former Syrian Vice President Abdel Halim Khaddam at the meeting of the National Commission to Support the Syrian Revolution in Paris.
Dear Syrian brothers and sisters, I extend a heartfelt greeting to our proud and steadfast people who are facing army forces that have shifted their loyalty from the homeland to the President of the regime and his family. Dear Syrian brothers, you are not only facing this army but also the alliance between Iran and this regime.
I also pray to God to have mercy on the martyrs of the revolution who bravely embraced the slogan of death or humiliation and sacrificed their lives to pave the path to freedom.
I offer great hope to the young men and women of Syria who have conquered fear and achieved what we, as parents, were unable to accomplish. They have brought the regime to the brink of collapse. Greetings to you, heroic sons.
I would also like to pay tribute to the military officers and soldiers who have defected from the regime’s army, expressing their deep national sentiments. They are now at the forefront of the revolution, leading the way towards the liberation of Syria and forging a new path for the country’s national army.
Brothers and sisters,
this regime is on the verge of collapse, causing Bashar Al-Assad to lose his sanity and balance. He has begun issuing threats and warnings to countries in the region and the entire world. For the first time, his cousin Rami Makhlouf made a statement to an American newspaper threatening the United States by claiming that Israel’s security is linked to Syria’s security. Two weeks ago, Bashar threatened the region and the world, stating that he would unleash his missiles, along with those of Iran and Hezbollah, to destroy the region in response to any external intervention.
Just a few days ago, he made a new statement in which he claimed that any threat to his regime or foreign intervention in Syria would turn Syria into another Afghanistan and set the region ablaze. He knows, as we do, that he does not dare to sleep in the same house for two consecutive nights, and that fear consumes him. His fear will only lead to more killings and madness. We are reminded of his counterpart, Muammar Gaddafi, who used to make threats against the world, Al-Qaeda, Islamic extremism, and the threats he made against Libyans. Eventually, we witnessed his downfall on television. This will be your fate, Bashar. This is the fate of killers and mass murderers.
Our meeting today brings together a group of Syrian patriots who are motivated by a deep sense of national responsibility and have devoted themselves to serving the people and the country. We will discuss all possible ways and means to support the revolution in achieving its goals of overthrowing the regime and holding its civil and military leaders accountable, along with anyone who contributed to the commission, cover-up, or facilitation of crimes. At the forefront of our discussions, we will explore all possibilities that lead to the regime’s overthrow and the revolution’s victory. This includes examining the possibility of achieving victory through peaceful means and, if necessary, arming the revolution. Additionally, we will explore the possibility of mobilizing a group of military personnel who are loyal to the country and determined to work towards its overthrow, thus paving the way for the revolution to achieve a comprehensive victory.
Therefore, on this occasion, I call upon these brothers to embrace their national responsibilities, overcome the fear of the regime’s oppression, organize themselves, and actively participate in its overthrow.
One of the topics we will discuss is the issue of military intervention by the international community. This is what we will advocate for because the authoritarian regime is not a national regime and has no affiliation with the country. It is more brutal and oppressive than any foreign occupation in history, in any region of the world. It is the regime that brought Iran into Syria and handed over the leadership of the country to them through its advisors and proxies. Every day, dozens of martyrs fall victim to the regime’s brutal killing machine. Therefore, it is our duty to take responsibility for protecting our people and enabling them to achieve their aspirations.
One of the key aspects we will address is the need to unify the visions of all revolutionary and national forces and actors committed to overthrowing the regime, focusing on the post-regime phase. The existing divisions among these forces are a significant weakness in the fight against the regime. We will spare no effort in achieving this goal. The country is of utmost importance, encompassing all its people. It is our responsibility to safeguard it and prevent it from being entangled in political and ideological disputes.
National unity protects everyone and can only be achieved through the participation of all. Any fracture in national unity creates a significant gap that leads to strife and destruction. Therefore, on this occasion, I appeal to rational clerics, politicians, military personnel, and young members of our Alawite community to break their silence. Their silence aligns them with the regime and holds them accountable for its crimes. I urge them to overcome the fear of the revolution because the revolution is not directed against the Alawite community but against the authoritarian and corrupt regime. The revolution harbors no hatred or revenge, but it demands accountability for all those involved in the regime’s crimes, regardless of their affiliation.
Bashar Al-Assad is teetering on the edge and will eventually fall. Everyone who has been associated with him will face their punishment. Do not fear his oppression. You are the strongest among your people. I urge you to expose the true nature of this tyrannical regime and call upon your sons in the armed forces to stand with the people and contribute to the liberation of our homeland.
Brothers and sisters,
we will exert great efforts to seek support from our brethren in Arab countries, just as they have stood by the Libyan people. They have always held a special place in the hearts of Syrians, sharing their concerns. Some of the challenges faced by our people are a result of the alliance between the regime and the rulers of Iran. We will call upon them to continue supporting the Syrian people as they have always done. We will also engage with them in our work programs, reaching out to the international community and its political and humanitarian institutions to shed light on the Syrian crisis. We will also request the international community to protect the Syrian people through all possible means, including military intervention, enabling them to achieve their aspirations.
Lastly, I want to emphasize that our goal is not to overthrow the state itself, but to dismantle the political and security system that has hijacked the state and utilized its institutions to commit crimes. Our objective is to liberate the state and hold accountable those who have aided the regime in its oppressive rule. It is also our duty to modernize and rehabilitate the state. The state represents the strength of the nation, with more than two million citizens working within it. We must protect and rehabilitate these institutions rather than dismantle them. We categorically reject the repetition of Iraq’s experience of dissolving the state and its institutions, which led to severe national divisions and ongoing violence.
Brothers and sisters, nations do not progress through hatred or discrimination, but rather through justice, respect, and the enforcement of the law. It is essential to hold accountable those who abuse the people and the country.
Glory to our martyrs, and a bright future to our people. Long live a free Syria.
