Russian Opposition Asks To Stage Moscow Rally Against Aleppo Strikes

PHOTO GALLERY: Aleppo, A Historic City In Ruins

Opposition groups in Russia have asked the office of Moscow's mayor for permission to stage a protest against what they call the "mass annihilation of residents" of Aleppo, Syria.

Sergei Davidis, a leader of the opposition December 5 Party, says the November 20 event would aim to attract attention to Russian military activities in Syria.

Davidis said on Facebook on November 7 that organizers of the proposed demonstration include his party, as well as opposition groups like the PARNAS party, the Libertarian Party of Russia, the For Human Rights movement, and the Solidarity movement.

Davidis said the opposition is demanding that Russia only conduct military operations in Syria against groups that the United Nations has deemed as terrorists.

He said the proposed demonstration would challenge Russia's "aggressive foreign policy" and "political repressions within Russia."

Russian air strikes are supporting forces of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad that are besieging rebel-held neighborhoods of Aleppo.