Amid an outrage over Russia and China’s double veto of a UN resolution on Syria, Syrian opposition leaders declared that regime of Bashar Assad is in its last days as rebel forces seized control of the nation’s borders on July 19. As Sayda spoke, rebels seized control of sections of Syria’s international borders and torched the main police headquarters in the heart of old Damascus, advancing relentlessly after the assassination of Bashar Assad’s closest lieutenants. Rebels also claimed control of at least two border crossings into Turkey at Bab Al-Hawa and Jarablus, in what appeared to have been a coordinated campaign to seize Syria’s frontiers.
Syrian National Council chief Abdel Basset Sayda warned that the veto by Russia and China at the UN would have “disastrous” consequences. The UK, US and France said the UN had failed the people of Syria. The White House said Russia and China had placed themselves on the “‘wrong side of history” by vetoing the UN resolution threatening sanctions to pressure President Bashar Assad to end the conflict in Syria. White House spokesman Jay Carney said the vote was “regrettable” and “highly unfortunate.”
The 11-2 vote, with abstentions from South Africa and Pakistan, was the third double veto of a resolution addressing the Syria crisis by Damascus’ most important allies.