Assad travels far from capital to mark Eid in Hama

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Syrian President Bashar al-Assad marked the first day of Eid al-Fitr of the end of Ramadan in the city of Hamma, the farthest from the capital Damascus he has travelled since the start of hostilities in his country.

Assad traveled to Hama with officials from his Baath party and some government ministers, according to state-run news agency SANA.

The mosque’s preacher Sheikh Najhem Eddin al-Ali delivered a sermon saying that Syria had triumphed in its war against evil.

He said Assad’s presence in the city of Hama to perform Eid al-Fitr prayers was “a sign that the Syrians are steps away from the victory and the return of security and peace to Syria.” 

The Syrian army is in control of Hama though rebel fighters are positioned within firing range.

The Syrian president has been seen visiting soldiers on various frontlines and most recently he was seen walking down a busy street in Damascus.


Parts of Syria are still under the control of different rebel groups, but Assad’s regime has been described by some observers as the winner of the war that has been ravaging the country for six years.