A statue of the brother of Syrian President Bashar Assad appeared to be toppled over in the city of Aleppo. Footage filmed by a freelance journalist showed the sculpture of Bassel Assad being pulled down by protesters on Saturday.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad sought to shore up support from his allies Sunday, after a monitor said a shock rebel offensive saw government forces lose control of Aleppo for the

The Syrian regime has rushed in reinforcements to hold off a rebel advance into the Hama countryside, after the insurgents seized the country’s second city Aleppo in the biggest threat to autocratic ruler Bashar al-Assad in years.