‘The enemy is the same’: Idlib’s message to Ukraine as Syrian war enters 12th year

Rebel enclave hopes global outcry against Russia, the Syrian regime's main backer, will renew interest in their cause

Thousands of protesters in the rebel enclave of Idlib have marked 11 years since the start of Syria's anti-government uprising, buoyed up by the global outcry over Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

More than 5,000 people gathered on the main square in the north-western city on Tuesday in one of the largest rallies the region had seen in months. Many demonstrators hoped the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, the Syrian government's main backer, would rekindle interest in their cause.