Urgent rally protesting summary executions, disappearances and torture of civilians in besieged Aleppo.

Syrian Solidarity New Zealand and supporters will be gathering at Aotea Square in Auckland this Saturday, 17th December at 2pm calling for an immediate stop to summary executions of civilians and urgent action to secure safe passage for the 100,000 civilians trapped inside Eastern Aleppo.

Syrian Solidarity spokesperson, Ali Akil is calling on the New Zealand government to act immediately to demand Assad, Russian, Iranian and Iraqi militias to cease the killing of civilians.

Akil, a Kiwi Syrian is well acquainted with the brutality of the Syrian regime through his own family’s experience of being trapped living in besieged Aleppo throughout this horrible ordeal.

“New Zealanders need to know that civilians in Aleppo have been living in unimaginable conditions as the Assad regime, supported by Russia have doubled down on their air assault and obliteration of Aleppo. As ground forces have moved in terrible reports are emerging of civilians being burned alive, of children trapped in collapsed buildings, of families recording last messages before committing suicide to escape being tortured or raped by the offending militias on the ground.

“Despite calls to the international community over the past five years to bring an end to Assad and his allies vicious attack on Syrian self determination, the devastation of Aleppo and its people has been allowed to continue unchecked.”

“We also hold grave concerns for the upholding of the Turkish Russian brokered ceasefire, with reports of civilians injured by heavy artillery shelling by Iranian militias. Upholding the ceasefire and protecting civilians must be a priority”, said Akil.

Measures need to be implemented and strong international pressure brought to bare to bring emergency help to eastern Aleppo at this darkest hour.

“If you have been moved by the images and videos of massacres and slaughters, I encourage you to listen to your inner voice and stand with the Syrian people in their darkest hour of need”, said Akil.

“While the Assad regime and its backers have managed to capture Aleppo through force; the moral victory belongs to the Syrian people who are certainly continuing with their fight for freedom, dignity and justice”, said Akil

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