SDF: Ministry of Defense Kills Civilians in Om Tina... Then Kills Truth

The Syrian Democratic Forces' media center issued a statement on Sunday, denouncing the statements made by the Ministry of Defense of the transitional government in Syria as a denial of the truth and a blatant attempt to evade responsibility. The statement read,

"The statement issued by the 'Media and Communications Department of the Ministry of Defense' regarding the crime committed by armed factions affiliated with the Damascus government against civilians in Om Tina village in Deir Hafer countryside is nothing more than a blatant attempt to evade responsibility for the crime. It does not stand up to any military or political logic, and will not change the established facts on the ground."

The statement pointed out that "this flimsy narrative reflects the Ministry of Defense's floundering in its attempt to cover up the repeated crimes and attacks perpetrated by its factions. It is not just a media evasion, but a blatant disregard for the lives of Syrian civilians and the victims' rights to hold the criminals of these factions accountable."

It emphasized that "this pattern of denial of crimes reflects a systematic policy pursued by the Ministry of Defense that deems the lives of Syrians worthless, with the goal always being to cover up the truth."

It noted that "seven civilians martyred, among them children whose age was between one and four years, and old women in the seventies. Four others were wounded in artillery shelling carried out by Damascus government militants on Saturday night, September 20. We have published their names and ages publicly, while the Ministry of Defense is attempting to evade and participate in the crime twice: once with artillery fire and then once with evasion and denial."

The statement held "the Damascus government fully responsible for the massacre, which was documented by name," and called on it to "control its unruly factions and engage in a peaceful process that places the lives and security of Syrians above political and military considerations."

J.J