KURDS from Huddersfield and other Yorkshire towns and cities took part in a protest in London.

Fifty members of the Yorkshire Kurdish community protested outside the Syrian embassy.

The demonstration marked the second anniversary of an uprising in the town of Qamishlo.

It was reported that 20 Kurds were killed after being attacked by the Syrian authorities and pro-Saddam Hussein groups in the football stadium.

The Kurdish authorities called for an uprising, which they say was cruelly put down by Syria.

The London demonstration was organised by the Huddersfield-based Syrian Kurd-British Friendship Association.

Its president, Mukles Khalaf, said more than 100,000 Kurds were deprived of citizenship and civil rights by the Assad regime in Syria.

He added: "A report released by the US State Department last week revealed widespread human rights abuse, including illegal detentions and torture.

"Kurds in Huddersfield are appealing for the UK Government to support demands for democratic elections and the release of all political prisoners."