Syria marks 45 years to 'crushing victory over Israel'
Over the weekend, Syria marks the anniversary of the Yom Kippur War with rallies and conferences; propaganda videos show retired military officers praising moves leading up to the 'triumph' over IAF, and the downing of 250 Israeli planes; Syrian Grand Mufti: 'We are determined to release lands and expel the Zionist invaders from the occupied Golan Heights.'
Over the weekend, Syria commemorated its alleged victory in the 1973 Yom Kippur War in various ceremonies, rallies and marches throughout the country.
Forty-five years have passed since October 6, 1973, and Syrians still consider the Yom Kippur War a success story, despite the fact the IDF captured parts of Mount Hermon and the Golan Heights, which Israel holds to this day.
Syrians dubbed the war the "October War of Independence" (Harb Tishreen al-Tahrir Yar), and the country's media outlets dedicated a great deal of coverage to the victory over the Israeli Air Force (IAF), while presenting the Syrian air defense system as exceptionally successful.
For example, Syrian media published a photo of the pilot Adib a-Jaraf, who allegedly shot down four Israeli planes, with a caption reading: "the most beautiful moment in my life and the life of every human being is achieving the goal you set out for yourself. For me it was the moment I pulled the trigger and downed an Israeli Phantom."
In one news broadcast, retired soldiers who participated in the Yom Kippur War told their stories of the war. "We dropped 250 enemy planes in that war," one officer said.
Another officer chose to highlight the advanced technology of the Syrian army. "We can use complex technology," he boasted.
However, during the war, the Syrian Air Force lost 109 aircraft.
In addition to the celebrations in Syria, Lebanon's president sent a message to his Syrian and Egyptian counterparts, Bashar Assad and Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, in which he congratulated both leaders on their victory.
On the Syrian Golan, an event titled "Identifying with the residents of Quneitra and the occupied Golan" was held for the first time in years, after it could not take place because of the Syrian civil war.
Syria's Grand Mufti, Dr. Ahmad Badr Al-Din Hassoun, said at the event that "Syria is now determined more than ever to release all its lands and expel the Zionist invaders from the occupied Golan Heights. We will celebrate together on the land of Majdal Shams" (a Druze town located north of the Golan Heights).
On the opposite side of the border, residents of Majdal Shams pledged loyalty to Assad, expressing their solidarity and support.
