Eiffel Tower Goes Dark To Show Support for the People of Aleppo

At 8 PM local time yesterday, the Eiffel Tower shut off its bright lights to help bring more recognition to the war crisis in Aleppo.

The Syrian city has been intensely suffering under numerous attacks and bombings for years. Over 450,000 people have lost their lives during this conflict. It has been noted that multiple war crimes, such as the use of child soldiers, have occurred during the civil war. According to the Human Rights Watch, more than 4.2 million people have fled the country as refugees. Those who remain in the country are suffering from the lack of critical items, such as food and water. Food is scare and what water is available is more than likely highly contaminated.

Aleppo was once an iconic city, known especially throughout the world for its UNESCO Heritage sites. Palmyra and the Ancient City of Aleppo, once towering with ancient architecture and filled with archeological treasures, are now nothing more than a pile of rubble.

A recent cease-fire was negotiated by Turkey with Russia to help stop the fighting and aid with evacuations, but was eventually broken this week. Another cease-fire has been negotiated as of December 14.

This isn’t the first time the French landmark has been used to recognize those who have suffered from terrorism and other forms of violence. In 2015, it turned off its lights to remember the victims of the horrific terrorist attacks in Paris.