Pro-Assad journalist mocks east Aleppo graffiti message of love

A pro-Assad Syrian news reporter mocked a graffiti message of love left behind by a Syrian couple when the evacuations of eastern Aleppo began earlier this month.

In a video published on 23 December, Syrian Rabea Kalawandy who works for the Iranian Al-Alam TV channel, ridiculed a couple's message of love and hope, which had gone viral on social media.

The Syrian couple Marwa and Salih shared photos of their graffiti message before they evacuated east Aleppo two weeks ago.

As if directing his words to the couple, Kalandawy went on: "You've been evacuated in green buses... Good-bye."

Marwa and Salih's messages dated 15 December had read: "To the one who persevered the siege with me, I love you," while another read: "We'll return my love."

Marwa and Salih were not the only Syrians from east Aleppo to leave messages behind.

As the evacuations took place, many Syrians left messages of defiance and resistance against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his allied forces.

The Syrian army announced on Thursday it had overrun the former rebel stronghold of east Aleppo following a landmark evacuation deal that saw thousands of opposition fighters and residents bussed out.

It was the biggest victory for President Assad's forces in nearly six years of civil war and a major win for his foreign backers, with key ally Russia hailing the "very important" step.