Participants carried the Syrian revolution flag and chanted against the Syrian government and its airstrikes on residential neighborhoods held by opposition forces in Aleppo. They also recited prayers in mourning for the victims.
The protesters called for “an end to airstrikes on Aleppo and humanitarian aid for its residents.” Turkish riot police took the necessary security measures to protect those taking part.
Since April 21, Aleppo’s neighborhoods have faced heavy bombardment by government and Russian aircraft. Hospitals, healthcare facilities and civilians have not been spared, and humanitarian conditions have deteriorated. The United Nations expressed concern and described attacks on hospitals as “a clear violation of international law.”
Demonstrators in Istanbul held a solidarity gathering yesterday, Saturday, for Aleppo in northern Syria, which had endured several days of some of the heaviest airstrikes by Syrian government aircraft and their Russian ally.
Hundreds of Turkish and Syrian citizens attended the gathering called by activists in Sarachane Park in Istanbul’s Fatih district. They carried Turkish, English and Arabic signs calling for solidarity, including “Aleppo is burning,” “Save Aleppo” and “Assad is burning Aleppo.”