‘A peaceful country, not a peaceful era’: Chinese citizens reflect on devastation in Syria

On April 4 in northwestern Syria, a deadly chemical agent was deployed in the early hours of the morning. The chemical weapon rapidly caused the deaths of dozens of people, including many young children. As images of the atrocity began to circulate, Chinese netizens added their voices to the din of mourners from around the world: “We were born into a peaceful country, not a peaceful era,” one user commented, reminding fellow citizens to be grateful for the good fortune of being born and living in a strong, peaceful country.

Extending sympathy to people in the war-torn country, Chinese internet users have called for an end to the war.

Below is a selection of photos documenting the aftermath of the tragic Syrian war.

A father shares his own photo as a warning to others.

He carries in his arms two deceased 9-month-old babies. He holds back tears. All he can say to the lifeless bodies is, ‘Goodbye, babies, goodbye.”

This father lost his wife and children along with 20 other family members in the attack.

March 4; Mosul, Iraq: a refugee is made to remove his clothes to prove that he is not a suicide bomber.

Weeping, a father flees with his young daughter from the wreckage.

The picture offers a before-and-after glimpse of the devastation wreaked by war.

Do we still remember this young refugee, only 3 years old? Since civil war broke out six years ago, more than 5 million Syrians have been turned into refugees, and horrifying photos have shaken the world.