US criticizes Assad regime for arrests of opposition members

The US revealed that the Bashar Al-Assad regime in Syria has arrested relatives of opposition members and taken other punitive measures, following the failure of the Geneva II meetings earlier this month.

In a statement, late on Wednesday, State Department Spokesperson Jen Psaki strongly condemned the Syrian government and called for the immediate release of those detained, stressing that the US is “outraged” by these reports.

“The Assad regime has arrested family members of the Syrian Opposition Coalition delegation to the Geneva II peace talks, designated delegates as terrorists, and seized delegates’ assets,” she said.

“Such actions blatantly disregard the international community’s welcome, through unanimously approved UN Security Council Resolution 2139, of the Geneva talks.”

“We call on the regime to immediately and unconditionally release all those unfairly arrested, including Mahmoud Sabra, brother of Geneva delegation member Mohammed Sabra,” she added.

“The regime is not only defying the international community but also seeking to suppress the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people.”