Protesters have clashed in Auckland's Aotea Square over war-torn Syria.
A group called Syrian Solidarity New Zealand staged a protest at 2pm today in the central Auckland precinct, demanding Kiwi politicians threaten to cut ties with Russia and Iran over the ongoing situation in Aleppo - where thousands of people await evacuation in the ongoing battle for control between the Syrian government and rebels.
Ali Akil of Syrian Solidarity NZ told the Herald he believes it's time for Prime Minister Bill English to step in and help save the lives of Syrian civilians.
![Clash at the protests. Photo / Jason Oxenham](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/TXOMNG5325U2Y5SYWYP4PA2IC4.jpg?auth=accda9835fc2de8b82719145c722448f1df407d7a809b63904d61fe9bb821b52&width=16&height=10&quality=70&smart=true)
"Specifically in Aleppo, besieged Aleppo, where there's a hundred thousand people trapped where all the hospitals have been bombarded, all the schools have been bombarded, all the bakeries have been bombarded, there's no food left, no medicines left, no power... Nothing at all," Akil said.
![Clashes as Syrian Solidarity NZ supporters, left, gather in Aotea Square calling for an immediate stop to the killings and a safe passage for the civilians trapped in Aleppo. Photo / Jason Oxenham](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/TPUIKXJOP77HM6ZPE4F35MAKRI.jpg?auth=db2f0d19c3a02f4bc5147f219acb51c3f12eba122eeffa4b1f5216d27a43e0d4&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)
"We ask the Government of New Zealand to do all it can to stand for the people of Syria against these terrorists and these people who are committing all these atrocities."
A small faction of people ended up clashing with the Syrian Solidarity NZ group.
![An image of Bashar al-Assad, left, is stood on at Aotea Square. Photo / Jason Oxenham](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/5D2732Q64ALQRETQXYUEPT5PKM.jpg?auth=bd94086ff4b71cbbdb6c80d4451dd27654844a6ffcc84654fe85f35b244ea561&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)
Some of them were wearing baseball caps with the slogan "Make America Great Again", as worn by US President-elect Donald Trump.
![Syrian Solidarity NZ supporters gather in Aotea Square. Photo / Jason Oxenham](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/YVAY3TUXS5TMCUMRGC23UBE76E.jpg?auth=a1fa8ebb8c33bf0837b69cbbfca0a5d89ca294791fe4727f3a32cadb14bba90d&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)