DAMASCUS, (SANA) – Representing Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Armed Forces President Bashar al-Assad, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Armed Forces and Defense Minister  Lt. Gen. Fahd Jassem al-Freij visited the Unknown Soldier Monument at mount Qassioun on Wednesday on occasion of the 67th anniversary of the foundation of the Syrian Arab Army.

After reviewing the honor guard, Lt. Gen. al-Freij placed a wreath on behalf of President al-Assad on the tomb of the unknown soldier, reciting verses of the Quran along with the Chief of Staff, Deputy Defense Ministers and senior army officers, then they performed a military salute as the army band played the "Martyr" and "farewell" anthems.

Defense Minister: Victory over the Conspiracy Is Close

Lt. Gen. al-Freij stressed that Syria, as it has always rejected foreign dictates, will not accept that the components of its sovereignty and dignity be affected in any way.

Speaking to the Syrian TV by phone, Lt. Gen. al-Freij, said that Syria's gear is the solid national unity binding its people and Army around the wise and brave leadership of President Bashar al-Assad.

The Minister saluted the Armed Forces on the occasion of the 67 anniversary of the foundation of the Army as they are engaged in the battle of defending the homeland' pride, independence and sovereignty against the armed terrorist groups and their funders and suppliers.

"On this occasion, I want to say that they are deluded who ever think that by having money and arms flowed from Gulf, regional and international governments upon hirelings could ever deviate Syria, leadership, people and army, from its approach of resistance, adherence to rights and rejection of all forms of subordination and surrender," said Lt. Gen. al-Freij.

He highlighted the Armed Forces' determination to chase down the fleeing members of the terrorist groups everywhere until eliminating them and restoring security and safety to the homeland and the citizens.

The Minister prayed for the repose of the souls of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in confronting the Zionists and colonialists as well as those who died in fighting the terrorist groups, wishing speedy recovery to all the military and civilian injured.

He addressed the Army members by saying that "your battle is an integral part of the battle of destiny in the main conflict with the Zionist enemy and its supporters and of foiling their schemes in fragmenting our country and finally destroying it."

The Defense Minister expressed his confidence in the military's awareness of the significance of this battle, considering that their achievements on the ground are "actual evidence" on their belief in the justice of their duties.

He assured the Syrian people that the victory over the conspiracy hatched against the homeland is close as Syria will come out stronger and with a more prominent and active role on the regional and international arena.

He stressed the Syrians' support for and high confidence in the Armed Forces, saying this confidence is a deserved one and adds a national and moral responsibility to their duty stated in the constitution in terms of protecting the citizens and preserving the homeland's security and unity against the criminality of the terrorist groups that are trying to achieve the goals of the Arab nation's enemies.

Armed Forces Mark 67th Anniversary of Founding the Syrian Arab Army

The Syrian armed forces on Wednesday marked the 67th anniversary of the foundation of the Syrian Arab Army, with commanders of military units delivering speeches pledging to the homeland and to President Bashar al-Assad to remain prepared to carry out their duties and continue work to establish security and stability across Syria.

The commanders affirmed that the Syrian Arab Army will remain the symbol of the country's dignity and that it is stronger than all the conspiracies targeting it due to its deep-rooted creed and its determination to prevent mercenary terrorists from achieving their lowly goals.

They stressed that they will always be prepared to answer the calls of citizens and pursue terrorists and crush them across Syria, and that the Syrian Arab Army will remain the rock on which all plots of strife and division will crash.

Minister of Awqaf on Army Day: our Brave Soldiers Confront Huge Conspiracy Targeting Arabism, Syria will be Victorious

Minister of Awqaf (Religious Endowments) Mohammad Abdul-Sattar al-Sayyed stressed on Wednesday that the brave soldiers of the Syrian Arab Army are confronting a huge conspiracy targeting Arabism and existence of the Syrian people, congratulating all members of the Syrian Arab Army on the occasion of the 67 anniversary of the Army Foundation Day.

In a phone call with the Syrian Arab TV, al-Sayyed said that Syria is facing a universal conspiracy led by the US, the West and Israel targeting the existence of the homeland and the values of the Syrian people; however, the brave Syrian Arab Army is confronting this conspiracy.

The Minister called for patience and insistence on victory, stressing that Syria will be victorious and that security and stability will be restored.

F.Allafi/ H. Said / H. Sabbagh