The government-organized rally in Aleppo, with turnout estimated in the tens of thousands, was similar to one held a week earlier in Damascus, the capital. The two rallies showed that Mr. Assad and his government still command support from a substantial part of the population seven months after the uprising started.
Syrian state television claimed that the turnout at the Aleppo rally was much greater — more than a million Syrians participated, it said — and people were shown singing, “We love you” and holding pictures of Mr. Assad. Others were shown waving Syrian, Chinese and Russian flags; Russia and China each vetoed a proposed United Nations Security Council resolution this month to take measures against Syria because of its crackdown on dissidents.
Now, somebody is detonating bombs in the city. Thank you for pointing out that article.