"US out of the Middle East": anti-war protests gain momentum

As the British Parliament voted against military intervention in Syria on Thursday, anti-war protesters mobilised across the globe. Outside the White House concerned Americans called on the US to stay out of Syria: “Syrians are crossing borders in record numbers. Why? Because they fear Americans’ bombs in Damascus,” said Brian Becker from the Answer coalition. In New York City those opposed to war chanted “We need jobs. We need peace. US out of the Middle East.” Greek Communists took to the streets of Athens to demonstrate outside the US Embassy. At the Incirlik air base in Turkey, a key strategic site for US attack planes, Turks called on their government not to wage war against Syria: “We should not allow Turkey to attack Syria just to protect US interests. It is not right for thousands of civilians to be killed in Syria just like in Iraq,” said one protester. Turkey will be a key player in any military strikes against Assad as Incirlik is less than an hour’s flying time from the Syrian border. More anti-war demonstrations are expected to take place across the globe over the weekend.