Flag-waving supporters of President Bashar al-Assad took to the streets of Syrian cities on Thursday.<br/> <br />The orchestrated show of loyalty comes on the first anniversary of an increasingly bloody uprising against his rule.<br/> <br />State television showed thousands of people rallying in central Damascus, bearing national flags and portraits of the president.<br/> <br />Rallies were also reported in Syria's second city Aleppo, and a number a smaller towns across the nation.<br/> <br />The celebrations come as the Syrian army continues its offensive against rebels and civilians, regaining Homs and sending tanks into the southern flashpoint town of Deraa.<br/> <br />The country is also facing increasing international isolation, while the latest UN figures suggest over 8,000 people have been killed in the past year.<br/> <br />On Wednesday, Saudi Arabia and Italy announced they were withdrawing their ambassadors from the capital.<br/> <br />Travis Brecher, Reuters
