The Kurdish protesters in Erbil and Qamishli specifically condemned the Syrian Army’s callous disregard for civilian lives in Aleppo city…“Civilians in that war-ravaged city have suffered the most under attacks by regime troops and their allies, like Russia, Iran and Hezbollah.”
December 17, 2016
Reporting by: Ahmed Shiwesh
Source: ARA News
Qamishli – Syrian Kurdish activists have been demonstrating in Erbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan, in support of the long-suffering people of Aleppo. On Friday and Saturday, the activists organized a sit-in to draw attention to human rights violations in Syria’s commercial capital.
“We are all opposed to the war crimes in Aleppo,” civil rights activist Mahmoud Muhammad told ARA News. “This sit-in was organized to stress the unity between the various components of Syrian society.”
The Kurdish protesters specifically condemned the Syrian Army’s callous disregard for civilian lives in Aleppo city. “The brutal attacks by the regime has led to the displacement of over 50,000 civilians […] while many others were injured or starved to death, including children,” Muhammad said.
The Kurdish demonstrators also called on the international community to intervene and rescue the civilians trapped in Aleppo’s al-Sukkari and al-Ansari neighborhoods.
“We hope that international organizations will provide assistance to the people of Aleppo,” pleaded Arman Amin, a Kurdish activist and participant in the protest. “Civilians in that war-ravaged city have suffered the most under attacks by regime troops and their allies, like Russia, Iran and Hezbollah.”
Last Tuesday, a Russian-Turkish agreement was announced, facilitating the withdrawal of rebel factions from eastern Aleppo. The eastern part of Aleppo is now principally under the control of the Assad regime.
Kurdish solidarity protests have not been confined to Erbil. On Friday, Syrian Kurds took to the streets in Qamishli, the second largest city in Northern Syria – Rojava. The demonstrators chanted and raised placards to show their solidarity with the people of Aleppo.
Reporting by: Ahmed Shiwesh
Source: ARA News
