Syrians have staged mass demonstrations to voice their support for the government of President Bashar al-Assad as the war-torn country celebrates its Independence Day.
The demonstrators on Wednesday took to the streets in the capital Damascus, carrying portraits of Assad and waving Syrian flags. They celebrated the 68th anniversary of the country's independence and the army's recent victories in its battle against foreign-backed militants.
They said the gatherings were aimed to assure President Assad that the Syrian people would strongly support him.
Similar rallies were also held in Sweida, Hama, Deir Ezzor and Hasakah.
The massive demonstrations were held on the eve of Syria's Independence Day. The former French colony gained independence on April 17, 1946.
They also come shortly after government forces managed to recapture strategic towns along the Lebanese border in recent weeks.
On April 15, the Syrian army liberated the towns of Assal al-Ward and Jab’adin in the south and Housh Arab in the Qalamoun region, near the border with Lebanon.
Last week, government troops drove out foreign-backed militants from the strategic city of Rankous in Damascus countryside.
Syria has been gripped by deadly violence since March 2011.
According to reports, the Western powers and their regional allies -- especially Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey -- are supporting the militants operating inside Syria.
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