On Saturday morning, residents of the city of al-Bab, east of Aleppo, announced a strike and a civil sit-in, against the background of the assassination of a civilian activist and his wife by unknown gunmen.
Activist Mohamed Abdellatif, known as Abu Ghannoum, and his pregnant wife were attacked by “unknown” gunmen on Friday evening. They took their lives.
The correspondent of al-Souria Net in the countryside of Aleppo said that “a large crowd of activists and residents of the city, mourned the body of Abu Ghannoum, in conjunction with setting-up a funeral tent and protest in the center of the city.”
The protesters’ demands, according to the reporter, “focus on retribution from the killers and those involved, and the dismissal of the security and police institutions in the city.”
Statements of conviction
Activists, revolutionary institutions, and media outlets reacted to the assassination of activist Abu Ghannoum and his family.
A statement by the “Revolutionary Street” in Bab said: “The assassination of the revolutionary activist Mohammed Abu Ghannoum, his wife, and her fetus, is nothing but a shame for all those who are responsible for this country and the security of this city.”
The statement considered that the city of Bab “has become a hotbed for drug gangs, assassins, and smugglers, because of the protection they receive from spoilers and the law’s condonation of retribution from them.”
For its part, the Syrian Journalists Association condemned the “horrible” assassination and called on media professionals in northern Syria to “take all precautionary measures to preserve their lives and personal security during and outside their work.”
The association added that “there are risks to which workers in the media sector in particular and civil society in general are exposed. The international community, especially the countries affecting the Syrian issue, must take urgent measures to stop targeting civilians and media workers.”
In turn, the Syrian Interim Government said: “We condemn this cowardly operation, which falls within the context of operations aimed at intimidating civilians and striking the security and stability of the region.” It added that it will “diligently continue to work with various agencies to uncover those involved in this heinous crime, and those behind them to be held accountable.”
This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
