Assad hails 'near victory' at Syrian army's 72nd anniversary

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said Monday that the Syrian army is writing the features of the "near victory," according to state news agency SANA.

Speaking on the occasion of the 72nd anniversary of the establishment of the Syrian army, Assad said the Syrian army has succeeded to make great achievements in the face of an unprecedented terrorist enemy.

"We are still facing a terrorist enemy, which the history hasn't seen before," Assad said, adding that such enemy is backed by regional and international powers with the aim to control the entire region through Syria.

Members of the Syrian government forces march near the town of Qumhanah in the countryside of the central province of Hama, April 1, 2017.

The president said to the Syrian army, "Today, you are writing epics of glories and writing, through your steadfastness and determination, the feature of the near victory."

The celebration this year comes as the Syrian forces, with the backing of Russia and Shiite fighters, mainly the Lebanese Hezbollah, have made strides in the battle against the extremist groups ISIL and the al-Qaeda-linked Nusra Front.

The army recently captured much of the Syrian desert from ISIL, by advancing in the eastern countryside of Homs province in central Syria, and by stripping the Nusra Front of its positions in the Fleita barrens in western Qalamoun region.

(CGTN)