SYRIA: Supporters of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad demonstrate in several locations across the capital Damascus

Record ID: 280688

  • Title: SYRIA: Supporters of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad demonstrate in several locations across the capital Damascus
  • Date: 5th May 2012
  • Summary: DAMASCUS, SYRIA (MAY 4, 2012) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF EXTERIOR OF OMMAYYADES MOSQUE
  • Embargoed: 20th May 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Syrian Arab Republic
  • Country: Syria
  • Topics: Conflict,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA1G90XCJ4CTVQ5SCP4BBRBORKR
  • Story Text: A small group of supporters of Bashar al-Assad gathered outside a mosque in Damascus on Friday (May 4), chanting slogans and holding up posters of the Syrian president.
    A 14-month uprising against Assad's regime began in March 2011 with peaceful demonstrations inspired by a wave of Arab revolts against long-ruling autocratic leaders, but it has become increasingly militarised in response to a violent crackdown.
    The U.N. says more than 9,000 people have died, while the Syrian government says it has lost at least 2,600 of its forces to "foreign-backed terrorists".
    "We are say to God to save our country, to save our people," said Assad supporter Munif al-Abdallah, who works at Damascus airport.
    "I think there is no problem at all in Syria. The problem, the only problem, is these groups or these armed people who aim to kill our people, to kill our country," he added.
    "People and arms - we are all army. We are all with our president. Not because he is President Bashar al-Assad but because he is the best leader we have here in Syria," he said.
    Mohamad Jamal al-Hamwi agreed that the uprising was supported from abroad.
    "The way out [of the crisis] is for those who are with America to stop escalating the situation. Once the escalation is over everything will calm down and be clear. We do not have hope in any Arab human to help us. We just want them to leave us alone," he said.
    The Syrian government has consistently accused Turkey, which hosts the leadership of the opposition Free Syrian Army, of allowing weapons and funds to flow freely to insurgents fighting for the overthrown of President Bashar al-Assad.
    Most Western and Arab states have given diplomatic backing to the opposition Syrian National Council - a group led mostly by opposition figures abroad who have been negotiating with foreign powers to support the revolt in Syria.
    A peace plan for Syria brokered by international mediator Kofi Annan includes a ceasefire, deployment of observers and free access for journalists and humanitarian aid.
    About 50 observers and civilian staff have been deployed in Syria, but violence has continued since an April 12 truce.
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