The White Helmets: We Got Documents Condemning Syrian Government
Istanbul, Turkey – North-Press Agency
Samer Taha
Syria Civil Defense is a volunteer organization known as (The White Helmets) was formed in 2013 and is particularly active in times of air strikes, shelling and military operations as rescue and census teams within parts of armed opposition groups-controlled areas.
North-Press made an interview with Raed Al-Saleh, head of The Syrian Civil Defense on the work of the organization, the differences in international attitudes, the future of the organization and its position towards its members who have made previous reconciliations with the Syrian government and the requirements of the continuation of Civil Defense.
As for changes and differences through the continuous work since 2013 according to Syrian reality and the vision of the Civil Defense, Al-Saleh said that “The reality reflects regional and international conflicts, and the changes are the political positions and interests” stressing on the need to find a political solution that “guarantees rights and pursues criminals”.
He pointed out that the Russian military intervention had a political and military impact and deepened social gap among Syrians, considering that it is “a future challenge facing Syria”. He also said that “ISIS defeat doubled the number of victims throughout Syria, deepened the crisis, turned international perceptions upside down and distracted many from the crimes being committed today.”
Wrong Estimates and Friends’ Efforts
Regarding dealing with the divergent views of the international community about Syrian situation, Al-Saleh said that “civilians in Syria” are the priority of Civil Defense adding that he uses the international community’s criticism and opinions to “improve work and services for civilians.”
“We were mistaken when we expected the progress of the mechanisms of the international community’s action as challenges increased” he said, noting that there were efforts on the part of official international platforms by people who believe in “protection of civilians and the sincerity of human rights” as “friends of the Syrian people, civil defense and their allies.”
Furthermore, Al-Saleh believes that the international community is unable to stop the recurrence of the atrocities of World War I and II, stressing that “the role of Civil Defense is to provide documents and evidence about criminals.”
Invested experiences in peace
The head of Civil Defense said that his organization will have a role in peacetime as in wartime, denying that it’s a research or rescue organization, rather, it has “unique experiences worldwide,” pointing out to experiences utilized to repatriate the IDPs to their homeland.
He summarized the experiences of “the removal of unexploded ordnance, the restoration of infrastructures such as electricity and drinking water networks, firefighting, ambulance, awareness, psychological support, rebuilding, and reconstruction.”
Documents Condemning the Government
On the other hand, the head of Civil Defense said that the Organization considered its members’ reconciliation with the Syrian government as “personal options that cannot affect them,” adding that “those who chose to reconcile with the regime, should bear the consequences of this decision, and we wish them all the best.”
As for the classification of Civil Defense, whether it is a humanitarian organization or an organization opposing the Syrian government, Al-Saleh explained that the organization “Isn’t a political party because that contradicts our principles and prevents us from reaching out to all Syrians,” he said that the organization is “very cautious” stressing that Civil Defense has got “Documents condemning the Syrian government”.
Raed Al-Saleh considered the political understandings of the dominant forces and mechanisms of guaranteeing the safety of Civil Defense volunteers, prevent their expansion to all Syrian regions, pointing out that they provide services to four million people in Aleppo, Idlib, Hama, and Latakia.
Al-Saleh concluded that they are constantly in need of advanced training, particularly in the case of explosive ordnance with progressive equipment and tools, as well as being forced to compensate for their damaged equipment as a result of repeated bombing on their positions in north-west Syria.