Syrian President Bashar al-Assad praised the Syrian army as the most efficient force in the fight against terrorism inside the country.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad praised the Syrian army as the most efficient force in the fight against terrorism inside the country.

“You (army forces) are strong-minded and vigorous in fulfilling your national duties. The achievements that you have made in various areas attest to the fact that the Syrian army is the most capable force in confronting and eliminating terrorism,” Assad said on the 71st anniversary of the establishment of the Syrian Arab Army on Sunday.

He added, “The army is at a critical juncture of Syria’s history. Therefore, all need to exercise vigilance and double their efforts in order to achieve victory and embrace the bright future, which will meet the aspiration of the Syrian nation.”

Assad also expressed sympathy with the families of army soldiers who have been killed during anti-terror operations, and wished for the quick recovery of those injured.

Also on Sunday, Syrian army forces targeted a position of the Takfiri ISIL terrorist group southeast of the city of Dayr al-Zawr, located 450 kilometers (280 miles) northeast of the capital, Damascus, killing and injuring scores of militants.

Syrian soldiers also destroyed a tunnel that ISIL terrorists had dug in the area to smuggle munitions and launch terrorist attacks.