Syrian opposition turns to Pokemon to win support

A boy holds a banner depicting a Pokemon character in this handout picture provided on July 22, 2016 by the Revolutionary Forces of Syria Media Office. REUTERS

(Reuters) - Syrian opposition groups have taken advantage of a global Pokemon craze to draw the world's attention to the plight of children caught up in the country's five-year civil war.

Photographs of children in besieged Syrian towns holding pictures of Pokemon characters and appealing for help were published by the Syrian National Coalition, an alliance of Western-backed activist and rebel groups.