AIKEN, S.C. () – A silent protest was held at a government building in Aiken on Sunday, July 20 to bring awareness to a deadly battle in southern Syria.

A group of local people from Syria organized the event to draw attention to the fight between two religious groups that they say has turned many innocent bystanders into victims, including their own family members. They’re asking the U.S. government to get more involved.

“No electricity, I cannot talk to my family. They would send us a text message like every two days telling us they’re alive and that’s all we know about them,” said Lujain Abusaada, a silent protestor.

“It’s very important for us to bring their stories for the world to see what’s happening in Syria,” said Khalid Abusaada, a silent protestor.

Last week, the Trump Administration outlined a plan to help Syria rebuild after the fall of previous President Bassar Al-Assad’s regime in December.