Syrians hold rallies in support of Assad government

People in Syria have held several rallies to express support for the government of President Bashar al-Assad and the Syrian army. The demonstrations were held on Sunday in the capital Damascus as well as the town of Nabek, official news agency SANA reported. Similar rallies have frequently been staged in the country during the past couple of years. The pro-government demonstrations come as the Syrian army has intensified its operations to clear militant hideouts in Rima farms in the strategic region of Qalamoun near Damascus. Syrian forces on Saturday launched new strikes to push back the foreign-backed militants who have been attempting for weeks to take control over a vital highway in the region that links the capital to the western city of Homs. The army also continues operations in the town of Yabrud in Qalamoun, which hosts some of the most dangerous militant groups. Following recent successful military operations in Qalamoun, the Syrian army is now in control of one-third of land stretching between the highway and Yabrud. Crisis has gripped Syria for nearly three years. According to reports, the Western powers and their regional allies -- especially Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey -- are supporting the militants operating inside the country. The United Nations says more than four million Syrians will be forced out of their homes in 2014 by the escalating conflict in the country that has killed more than 100,000 people and displaced millions so far.