Syrian opposition appeal to new London mayor for 'solidarity' with Aleppo

Local activists in Aleppo have called on Sadiq Khan, the newly elected mayor of London, to “stand in solidarity” with their city, comparing their plight to London under the blitz in World War Two.

“London’s Great Fire is over but Aleppo is still burning,” said a statement released on Wednesday by the Local Council of Aleppo City, a body that provides services to opposition-held areas of the city.

“The world knows of the brave spirit that carried London through the blitz of 1940 and 1941, a terror that killed 40,000 civilians across Britain," the statement said.

"After five years, we are still living through air attacks in Aleppo. Tragically, many times more civilians have been killed in Syria than were killed in the blitz.”

The letter praises the “London Fire Brigade who have sent equipment to help the rescue volunteers of Syria Civil Defence” and the “British doctors, health workers and aid workers who recently marched in London in solidarity with the medical workers in Syria.”

“We hope that as mayor of London you will be a friend to Aleppo, to stand in solidarity with the city Aleppo that is still burning,” it said.

“The people of Aleppo and London have much to offer each other in a common struggle for peace and freedom.”

Middle East Eye approached Khan for comment on Wednesday, but had not received a response by the time of this story's publication.