ANTI-WAR protesters are set to gather at Salthill Prom in Galway on Sunday to “fly a kite for peace” in protest against US drone attacks on Afghanistan.

Sunday’s action is the second year the event has taken place and is part of a peace initiative organised by the Fly Kites Not Drones campaign, with similar events held across Europe.

It aims to highlight the devastating impact of military drones in Afghanistan where between 3,952 and 5,353 drone strikes have been confirmed, killing at least 3,923, at least 150 being civilians and 36 children.

Galway County school, Scoil Naisiunta Leitir Meallain, has opened its doors for an educational programme as part of the peace initiative, organising a creative project for children.

Organisers said the project hailed from Afghanistan and its tradition of kite flying. 

“The beauty of this Afghani custom, where a kite catches the wind, was used by the “Fly Kites Not Drones” initiative to highlight the contrasting devastation caused by US killer drones. 

“Also, the lives of the people holding the string can be very different. In Afghanistan, the perfect blue skies children would use to fly kites are now feared because they are also perfect for armed drones seeking targets.”