(Zaman Al Wasl)- The U.S.-based Syrian activist Remy Hassoun has been on a rolling hunger strike to protest the Syrian regime and Russia's continuing offensive on northern Idlib province that left 85 people dead and displaced over 260,000 people in two weeks.
Syrian activists have circulated on social media the photos and videos of Hassoun drumming at night disturbing the ambassador's comfort, and drawing attention to the situation of more than 4 million civilians in Idlib, who are being bombed daily and deprived of basic necessities - many of whom are displaced because of the regime and Russian occupation.
Remy took refuge in the United States of America in 2015 and enrolled in an American university in Computer Engineering. He participated in many activities in support of the Syrian revolution and of the Arab revolutions in Tunisia, Iraq and Lebanon.
Hassoun said that he chose to go on a hunger strike and drum to express his protest in a rather peaceful way when compared to the sound of bomb and artillery that terrorize the children and women in Idlib. He wanted the continuous drumming to disturb the residents of the Russian ambassador's house.
The embassy guards called the police seven times the night before, in the hope of expelling him. Eventually, the ambassador had to leave his home after midnight, to spend the night in a hotel.
The house of the Russian ambassador, Anatoly Antonov, is located in Washington DC 16th street, a well-known street, presents a crowded area which allows the largest number of people to see it Hassoun’s protest. He said that, unlike the Russian embassy guards, the American police dealt with him kindly, adding that one of the embassy guards told him that Syria will never be free.
Hassoun’s peaceful protest generated some response, as the Russian embassy sent a delegate to negotiate with him in order to break the strike, as it may harm their image in the media.
He also noted that his stand was met with great sympathy from the Americans and various nationalities, some of whom brought him drinks, and some sat next to him and took pictures and videos to post on social media.
One of Remy’s friends filmed the sit-in and published the video on social media, which helped spread the news later.
With a tired voice, Hassoun said that the cold and hunger have affected him a lot and he can only imagine the extent of the suffering of the people of Idlib and the displaced.
Regime forces have been bombarding southern and eastern Idlib province, the last rebel stronghold in the war-torn country, since late November. A ground offensive that began last week has displaced more people and government forces have captured more than 40 villages and hamlets, according to the regime army and opposition activists.
The Syrian Response Coordination Group, a relief group active in northwestern Syria, said 216,632 people have fled their homes, many of them with no specific place to go. Many have been heading toward the Turkish border for safety.
Zaman Al Wasl
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