Ribal Al-Assad, Director of the ODFS, said:

“I condemn the terrorism being perpetrated by the Syrian regime and the Syrian opposition. I condemn the barbaric, appalling and evil acts of the foreign jihadist Islamist rebel group shown in this video.

“The contents of this video should serve as warning to the international community that some of the Syrian ‘opposition’ are not democrats and are working for a theocracy ie an Islamist Emirate. Advocating the hatred and killing of opponents on sectarian or religious grounds or that they have different beliefs is not the basis of democracy. The majority of the Syrian people do not want a theocracy.”

“There is no military solution to this conflict. A diplomatic solution based on the conditions set out in the Kofi Annan Plan is the only way forward. If an all out civil war in Syria and the region is to be averted then all parties- the regime, the opposition and their outside backers must de-escalate the violence and work towards a ceasefire.This is the only way to start a political process leading to a peaceful inclusive democratic transition, to a national unity government, and to democracy and freedom. The alternative a dangerous and lasting destabilisation of Syria and the Middle East