Demonstrators in northern Syria reject aggression against Idlib

Mass demonstrations were held on Friday in the north of Syria around Idlib, Aleppo and northern Hama. Activists rejected the aggression against the people of Idlib and insisted that their choice is resistance.

In Maarat Al-Nu’man, UN Envoy Staffan De Mistura was criticised for the discrepancy between his policy and mission. “De Mistura and [Bashar] Al-Assad are partners in murder and displacement,” claimed local residents.

Another mass rally organised in Maarat Al-Masriyín rejected attacks on liberated Idlib and confirmed the steadfastness of its people in the face of the arrogance and brutality of forces loyal to the Syrian President. Other locations also witnessed demonstrations affirming the principles of the Syrian revolution and non-reconciliation with Assad, whose regime “has shed” Syrian blood.

In Istanbul, meanwhile, Syrian refugees and Turks protested in the Fatih district in solidarity with Idlib. They pointed out that aggression against Idlib will lead to a humanitarian disaster, the inevitability of which was noted by diplomats and politicians. Around 4 million people, including 1 million children, would be affected.

Idlib was declared a “tension-reduction zone” in May 2017 under an agreement between the Guarantor States of Turkey, Russia and Iran. However, the Syrian regime and its Russian allies have continued to bomb the area. Such attacks have intensified recently.