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Assad supporters hold anniversary rallies

16 March 2012 04:17 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA.Itâ€™s been exactly a year since Syrian anti-government protesters began taking to the streets of Damascus calling for political reforms, part of a wave of pro-democracy protests throughout the Arab world, APA reports quoting Xinhua.

One year on, and despite the fall of Muammar Gaddafi, Hosni Mubarak, and Tunisiaâ€™s President Ben Ali, Syriaâ€™s President Bashar al-Assad is still in power. Assadâ€™s supporters have been marking the anniversary with mass rallies across the country.

Thousands of Syrians poured into the streets of the capital Damascus to show their support for President Bashar al-Assad, on the first anniversary of the Syrian unrest.

State television showed them thronging into the city, carrying Syrian flags and portraits of Assad.

Despite some concerns over economic problems caused by international sanctions, many expressed hope for the future.

Assad supporter in Damascus said: "After this momentous year, I think a new kind of culture has been created in Syria. We have been a lively population for more than five thousand years. Regarding the economy, I think the government is not doing its job as it should. But may God protect the country and protect each soldier defending it."

Pro-government Rallies were also held in other parts of Syria, including in the countryâ€™s second city Aleppo.

But despite the celebratory mood, most people are well aware that for many in Syria, the current situation is tough, particularly for families whoâ€™ve fled the violence in their homeland and crossed the border into Turkey.

Syrian refugee Hassan Abdullah Al-aloush said: "The refugee situation right now is unacceptable. Itâ€™s very crowded. The tents are too close to one another. The infrastructure is inadequate. Every hour hundreds of new people are brought here. We need more help and improved conditions. The Turkish government is doing everything it can to help, but we need more."

The United Nations estimates some 8,000 people have been killed in Syria since anti-government protests began in March 2011. Despite increasing international isolation, the government of President Assad has remained stable, and appears determined to stamp out all elements of the armed revolt.

Intelligence analysts say the Syrian opposition has yet to pose a serious challenge to Assadâ€™s large army and sophisticated weapons systems.