Thousands of people participated in protests in major Turkish cities, including capital Ankara and Izmir, on Sunday to protest the latest escalation of violence in Syria and Egypt.
A demonstration jointly organized by the Foundation for Human Rights and Freedoms and Humanitarian Relief (IHH) and other NGOs continued for an eighth night in Ankara. Demonstrators held banners decorated with Rabaa signs -- a sign used in anti-coup protest in Egypt.
The main 'Konak' square of Turkey's third biggest city Izmir served as a major gathering point for protestors. A demonstration organized by The Young Movement attracted a number of people. After the night prayer (Isha), participants held Syrian and Egyptian flags and banners. The letter written by Muslim Brotherhood politician Mohammad al-Beltagi to his slain young daughter Asma, who was shot while protesting in Cairo, was also read during the protest.
Meanwhle thousands of people gathered in Malatya, a southeastern city of Turkey, in a bid to rally against violence in Syria and Egypt. A demonstration, namely the Brotherhood and Solidarity Protest was held at the major square of the city. They chanted slogans such as "Murderer Israel leave Egypt" and "Morsi Resist, Ummah with you" while making the Rabaa sign. IHH Secretary General Bulent Yildirim said in a speech that he had talked with Asma last year during a conference and now regrets that he can no longer speak with her. He called young demonstrators to write a letter to Muslim Brotherhood politician Mohammad al-Beltagi to show their solidarity as he mourns the murder of his daughter. "Let's say that you lost your daughter Asma, but thousands of Asma are writing you a letter."
Meanwhile the Marmara Ereglisi municipality cancelled a summer concert to show solidarty with the sufferings.
Demonstrations were also held in Karabuk, Samsun, and Bolu.
- Demonstrations also in Australia and Belgium
Five thousand people in Melbourne, Australia gathered to protest the bloodshed in Syria and Egypt on Sunday. Demonstrators held banners with the picture of Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan. After an hour long speech made by various figures, participants marched to Federation Square, Melbourne's major gathering point. Protesters chanted slogans against Syrian President Bashar Assad and Egyptian's military coup leader General Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. During the protest, Member of Parliament Tayfun Eren, who is of Turkish descent, stated to an AA correspondent that people should not keep silent against sufferings.
A protest was also held in Antwerp, Belgium's largest municipality, to rally against the chemical attack that took place in Syria last Wednesday.
englishnews@aa.com.tr
