Worldwide protest against Russia, Syria over Aleppo

Kuwaitis hold placards during a demonstration outside the Russian Embassy to condemn Moscow’s support for the Syrian regime besieging opposition-held Aleppo on Wednesday in Kuwait City. (AFP)

JEDDAH: Thousands took to streets in Kuwait, Turkey, UK, New York and several other cities across the world protesting against Moscow and Damascus for besieging opposition-held Aleppo.
Hundreds of Kuwaitis carrying banners saying “Stop crimes” and “Save Aleppo,” marched on the diplomatic compound housing the Russian Embassy in Kuwait City.
Speakers called Russian President Vladimir Putin a “criminal” and urged the government to expel Russia’s ambassador.
“Today, the Syrian people are at war with Russia... dead bodies are in the streets of Aleppo,” lawmaker Jamaan Al-Harbash told the crowd.
“We call on Turkey and the Gulf states to expel Russian envoys and sever diplomatic ties with Moscow,” he said. MP Thamer Al-Suwait called the war in Syria a “genocide.”
Former lawmaker Ahmad Al-Shuhumi condemned what he labelled “a dirty sectarian war led by Iran against the Sunni Muslims.”
Protesters then marched toward the fence of the compound, shouting: “The people want the expulsion of the ambassador.”
Police watched the demonstration closely but it ended peacefully.
Kuwait’s Parliament is set to hold a special debate on Aleppo on Dec. 28, speaker Marzouk Al-Ghanem said on Wednesday. Hundreds also gathered in London in an emergency protest against the bloodshed in the war-ravaged city, according to IBTimes. People outside the residence of the British premier demanded an immediate reaction from the government.
Similar demonstrations are held in Sweden, Jordan and other countries. Ukrainians are expected to join the protest on Thursday, calling for organizing demonstrations near the Russian Embassy in Kiev.
Kuwaiti charities and the Kuwait Red Crescent Society have launched fund-raising campaigns for victims of the fighting in Aleppo.
During a weeks-long regime assault to retake opposition-held parts of Aleppo, the city has seen some of the worst fighting in Syria’s five-year war.
More than 310,000 people have been killed since the Syrian conflict began, and over half the population has been displaced, with millions becoming refugees.