Syrian boy becomes powerful protest icon

As latest reports claim Syrian security forces have killed another 40 civilians, a new symbol has emerged of the people’s uprising.

Amateur footage of the funeral of a 13-year-old boy allegedly tortured to death by Syrian police encapsulated the outrage felt by thousands.

Exiled activists meeting in Turkey said his ordeal had galvanised the pro-democracy movement.

Political analyst Radwan Ziadah said: “More people joined the protests, more people became angry. People decided to go to the streets against the brutality of the Syria regime and most importantly to see that Hamza al-Khatib became an icon for the Syrian revolution.”

Recently, President Assad’s regime has promised reforms and even an amnesty for political activists but these gestures have been greeted with contempt by Syrians who refuse to trust the repressive regime.

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