http://www.wusa9.com/mb/news/local/dc/syrians-in-dc-ask-the-world-to-pay-attention/369672460

WASHINGTON (WUSA9) - The Syrian government called the liberation of Aleppo a victory. But the United Nations said a massacre is unfolding a world away. This time at least 82 people were killed.

The UN claimed Bashar Al Assad's forces carried out revenge attacks and executions of innocent people including women and children.

"There are reports of mass executions, we're hearing of mass rape, we're hearing of mass torture," said Syrian-American activist Lena Arkawi

It's difficult to hear about. Imagine living through it. But there's little life in Aleppo, Syria.

Assuming the end is near, many surviving civilians have taken to social media to say goodbye, posting messages like, "I hope you remember us" and "this may be my last message" from Aleppo.

"These Syrians are just like you and I. They want to live in their country. They want freedom," said Arkawi.

Like many, she said the international community's inaction in Syria has contributed to the more than 250,000 lives lost since 2011.

"This is going to go down in history as one of the major atrocities that we're just sitting back and idly watching unfold," Arkawi said.

She'd like to see a ceasefire and safe passage provided for the estimated 60,000 civilians who are still stuck in Aleppo with very few choices.

"Either they stay in the rebel controlled areas and face death through hunger or barrel bombs or air strikes, or they're asked to surrender and when they surrender they go missing," explained Arkawi.