Shelling kills 2 in Aleppo as Assad supporters celebrate

Shells slammed into the northern Syrian city of Aleppo on Thursday, killing two people as thousands of government supporters gathered in a main square nearby to celebrate last month’s capture of the city’s eastern neighborhoods from rebels.

The shells struck a few kilometers (miles) from Saadallah al-Jabiri Square, where national music was blaring from giant loudspeakers and people danced and chanted pro-government slogans.

The gathering dispersed shortly afterward, highlighting the fragile security in the city. The capture of Aleppo on December 22 brought Syria’s largest city back to the full control of Syrian authorities for the first time since July 2012, marking Assad’s biggest victory since the uprising against him began nearly six years ago.

During the demonstration, a woman led the protesters in a pledge to preserve Syria and protect it against rebels and their foreign backers. About an hour later, a shell exploded in the distance, leading some of those gathered to hurry away. Minutes later another shell exploded in the distance, causing more to leave.

“We are here to celebrate the victory in Aleppo,” said housewife Faten Sawwas, as she left the square with her two daughters. “God willing the crisis is beginning to end and we will rebuild Syria.”