Syrians rally in Damascus in support of Assad's military

DAMASCUS – Hundreds of Syrians have gathered in a landmark square in the capital of Damascus in support of their armed forces, which they say succeeded in confronting the unprecedented joint airstrikes by the West over the weekend.

Monday's rally in in Omayyad Square is being broadcast live on Syrian state media.

The protesters are waving Syrian flags at the demonstration, dubbed a "salute to the achievements of the Arab Syrian Army." They set off fireworks and unleashed celebratory gunfire.

Shouts of "Allah, Syria, and only Bashar," a reference to Syrian President Bashar Assad, rang out.