Aleppo is a city under siege. Completely surrounded by regime forces backed by Russia, the humanitarian situation is growing desperate as fuel and food run low, and mixed reports emerge of people’s ability to leave the city.
But amidst the heavy bombing as regime and Russian jets attempt to defeat the rebels in the city’s east, Aleppan kids are creating makeshift no-fly-zones by burning tires in the streets. Images on Twitter show this creative-and perhaps desperate-attempt to confuse warplanes.
Many pro-rebel accounts tweeted the images and even footage of the tire burnings.
Brave #Aleppo Youth risk their precious lives collecting tires to establish their own "No-Fly-Zone"
— ۞Tawfiq⚔Alkeilani۞ (@ShamiRebel) August 1, 2016
b/c US wouldn't:pic.twitter.com/7iz42bz6vb
Some observers noted the irony of Syrian kids succeeding in creating a no-fly-zone whereas the US could not.
Obama's Syria policy enshrined in this photograph of Aleppo children setting tires alight as a makeshift no-fly zone pic.twitter.com/MYV19LUIuU
— Michael Weiss (@michaeldweiss) July 31, 2016
Others criticized the effort, pointing to the presence of radical jihadist groups in the city.
Jihadis backed by Turkey and Saudis burning tires in an attempt to stop airstrikes in #Aleppo. #Syria #twitterkurds pic.twitter.com/QmBW5ubiSY
— curdistani (@curdistani) July 31, 2016
A major offensive by rebel groups is currently underway to break the regime siege of the city.
Adam Lucente
