People rally across Syria, voice support for govt.

People across Syria have held massive rallies to voice their support for the incumbent government and the country’s army, which has been battling foreign-backed militants over the past three years.

On Tuesday, thousands of people converged on al-Jalaa Sport City in the capital Damascus to express support for the upcoming presidential election and the Syrian army, SANA news agency reported.

Some of the participants delivered speeches in which they described participation in the June 3 presidential vote as an obligation.

Additionally, a rally was held in the town of Mhambel in Idlib province. Demonstrators carried Syrian flags and chanted slogans in support of the government. They also voiced support for President Assad in the next month’s presidential election.

Elsewhere, thousands of citizens flooded the streets in al-Shammas neighborhood of the western city of Homs, located 162 kilometers (100 miles) north of Damascus, to voice their support for the Syrian government and army.

A pro-government rally was also staged in the southwestern city of As-Suwayda, where the demonstrators called upon all Syrians to participate in the forthcoming presidential election.

President Assad’s popularity has been on the rise following recent military gains. Assad’s government has also introduced a series of constitutional reforms, including reforms regarding the upcoming presidential vote.

Campaigning for Syria’s June 3 presidential election has started despite the foreign-backed militancy. The vote will be held in the government-controlled parts of the crisis-hit country. Syrians living abroad are also set to vote on May 28.

Last month, Syria dismissed Western and opposition accusations regarding its presidential election, saying that it is planning to hold a free and transparent vote.

Syria has been gripped by deadly violence since March 2011. Over 150,000 people have reportedly been killed and millions displaced due to the violence fueled by the foreign-backed militants.