Vladimir Putin’s latest aggression is an illegal and destructive invasion
WASHINGTON D.C., February 24, 2022 – Today, members of the American Coalition for Syria (ACS) stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian people as they face the Russian Federation’s brutal and reckless foreign policy. Since Putin’s invasion and annexation of Crimea in 2014, over 14,000 lives have been lost in Ukraine at the hands of Russia. Syrian Americans know firsthand how Russia’s war against freedom and democracy and its support for autocrats and war criminals has led to the death and suffering of countless Syrians since its September 2015 military intervention against the Syrian people, including through the use of chemical weapons more than 300 times against civilians. The international community must immediately act in a show of force to remind Putin that his disruption of peace and security violates international laws and norms.
“Across the globe, Russia’s aggression has led to the suffering of innocent civilians in Ukraine, Syria, Georgia, and the Caucuses. In Syria, Russia committed more than 414 massacres from 2015 to 2020 which led to the loss of almost 5,000 lives (a third of which were children). The news that a Russian bombardment hit a Ukrainian medical facility brought to mind the 202 medical facilities that were deliberately targeted in Syria by Russian attacks. It is no coincidence that fellow autocrat Bashar al-Assad was one of the first and only leaders to recognize the recent annexation of Luhansk and Donetsk. The lack of accountability for these crimes against humanity is giving the green light to Putin and other authoritarian regimes to start new wars and spread chaos and instability.” said Wael Sawah, president of Pro-Justice and ACS board member.
The international community must uphold its commitment to the values of democracy and human rights and work diligently to prevent further escalations that will disrupt global peace and security and threaten the democratic world. ACS strongly supports President Biden and the G7’s decision to place diplomatic and economic pressure on Russia through sanctions and export controls and supports the self-defense and self-determination of the Ukrainian people. In addition, ACS urges severe financial and political measures to roll back Russian aggression.
The American Coalition for Syria (ACS) is a coalition of U.S. organizations supporting principled U.S. policies on Syria that uphold democratic reform, human rights, and justice.
Media Contact:
Jenny Lindell
jlindell@sacouncil.com
562-335-4149
