Eiffel Tower Goes Dark in Solidarity With Aleppo

Residents of the besieged Syrian city have taken to social media to send out heart-wrenching “last messages”.

(Photo Courtesy: Twitter/@HopeSarout)

The lights of the iconic Eiffel Tower were turned off on Wednesday in a show of solidarity with civilians in Aleppo, where renewed fighting put at risk a truce deal to evacuate people and rebel fighters.

"Tonight at 8:00 pm local time (07:00 pm GMT), the Eiffel Tower will go dark in a symbolic recall of Paris city's support to Aleppo and its citizens," Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo tweeted.

Following a ceasefire brokered by Moscow and Ankara, rebel fighters agreed on Tuesday to leave the eastern Aleppo area, with the evacuation due to begin earlier on Wednesday.

However, renewed shelling broke calm in the Syrian city and prompted a delay in the evacuation plan.

Aleppo’s situation has worsened rapidly since the truce accord collapsed in September, triggering an international outcry to end hostilities in the strategically located Syrian city, which has been contested by government forces and rebels since 2012.

Also Read: Watch: Terrified Civilians in Aleppo Post Their Final Goodbyes

Chairing a defence council earlier on Wednesday, French President Francois Holland asked for the presence of United Nations observers to ensure the Aleppo evacuation "in dignity".

Immediate and unconditional aid and protection must be provided to all citizens in Aleppo’s eastern part, without discrimination and in accordance with international humanitarian law.

Francois Holland, French President

(With inputs from IANS)