You're reading: Assad says Syria’s fate hinges on battle with rebels

BEIRUT - President Bashar al-Assad said on Wednesday, Aug.1, the Syrian army's battle with rebel forces would determine the fate of his country, and praised soldiers for confronting what he said were "criminal terorist gangs".

“The fate of our people and our nation, past, present and
future, depends on this battle,” Assad, who has not spoken in
public for two weeks, said in a written statement marking armed
forces day.