A sad-eyed Pikachu Pokemon Go character sits amidst the rubble on a Syrian street, while a Charizard dragon from the smash hit game is perched alongside gun-toting jihadists. The striking montages are the work of Syrian Khaled Akil, who is one of several activists and artists using the international frenzy over Pokemon Go to draw new attention to the plight of their battle-scarred country. Since its global launch, Pokemon Go has sparked a worldwide frenzy among users who have taken to the streets with their smartphones. A child walks across the rubble strewn throughout the street, atop which sits the yellow Pikachu character, his tall ears flopping down. In another image, a boy wheels his bicycle down a devastated street, with the turquoise-green Vaporeon character by his side.

Source: The Hindu July 22, 2016 11:48 UTC