People rally across Syria, voice support for army

People across Syria have held massive rallies to voice their support for the country’s army which has been battling foreign-backed militants over the past three years.
On Tuesday, the branch of the Revolutionary Youth Union organized a demonstration in the southern Syrian city of Salkhad. Participants in the rally waved national flags and banners, stressing their full support for the Syrian army and their adherence to the Syrian national principles.
They also rejected any foreign intervention in Syria’s internal affairs.
Elsewhere, thousands of workers staged a pro-government rally in the yard of the Public Company for Cotton Yarn in the central Hama Province. The participants in the rally denounced Arab and Western countries that are supporting the armed terrorist groups in Syria.
They also voiced their support for Syrian army and pledged to confront those targeting Syria’s sovereignty and stability.
Meanwhile, the Syrian army launched an offensive against foreign-backed militant groups, retaking a strategic hill in Qalamoun region on Tuesday. The army succeeded in taking control of the area near the town of Yabrud, located about 80 kilometers (50 miles) north of the capital Damascus.
Earlier this week, a pro-government rally was also staged in the town of Saidnaya, where the demonstrators gathered at Municipality Square and chanted slogans in support of the army.
The demonstrators called for national unity among all Syrians and insisted that national interests come first and defending it is everyone’s duty.
Since 2011, Syria has been experiencing deadly militancy that has reportedly left more than 130,000 people dead and millions displaced.
The Western powers and their regional allies — namely Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey — are widely believed to be supporting the militants operating inside Syria.