Thousands of Syrians take to streets to protest Assad regime election

 'Thousands of people across Syria on Friday protested against the upcoming presidential election under the Assad régime.

 Demonstrators gathered in al-Bab, Azaz and Idlib-all in northern Syria, areas outside Assad régime control-to oppose the so-called elections set to be held next week in the war-ravaged country.

 Demonstrators held banners saying "Boycott the child killer's elections," "Assad has no legitimacy," and "Régime election illegal."

 "The election violates UN resolutions. Bashar al-Assad committed massacres all over Syria," said Ridvan Atras, a demonstrator in Idlib.



 Rashid Hamdavi, another protester, said they oppose both the regime and the sham election.

 "The Syrian revolution will continue until the Assad régime is toppled," Hamdavi said.

 The régime's presidential election is set for May 26.

 Assad has been the victor in every election since he took power in 2000 as heir to his father, Hafez al-Assad.

 The decision to hold elections was made despite the ongoing military conflict, lack of any political solution in sight, failure of negotiations between the opposition and the regime, and the displacement of more than 10 million Syrians either as refugees or internally displaced persons.

 Moreover, about 40% of the country is not under régime control.'