Syrian activists protesting airstrikes by forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad put a group of children in a cage in a video published this week. 

The demonstration, which included a person with a torch standing nearby, was meant to mimic the death of Jordanian pilot Lt Moaz al-Kasasbeh.

Al-Kasasbeh died on January 3 by immolation at the hands of the Islamic State (IS) . His brutal execution outraged people across the world, and increased the demand for action against the militants. 

The Syrian activists contrasted this response to the perceived lesser reaction to airstrikes that have taken the lives of Syrian civilians. 

The demonstration took place in Douma, and the caged children held signs that read "Stop the killing of children."

According to the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), over 180 people were killed by airstrikes in Douma in the first 10 days of February, including 55 women and children. 

Syrian rebels vowed to retaliate by launching rocket attacks against al-Assad-held areas. 

Last week, the President denied using barrel bombs against the civilians, and he has previously denied other attacks during the Syrian civil war. SOHR founder Rami Abdulrahman predicted that the fighting will only accelerate. 

"Now the weather is better there will be Syrian air strikes," he insisted. "With the air strikes they will move forward."