DAMASCUS, Syria, July 29 (UPI) -- Syrian forces will honor their 64th anniversary with an artillery display and a commemoration for national martyrs during weekend celebrations.
The Syrian Armed Forces mark their anniversary of the founding of the Syrian Arab army on Saturday with adornments honoring President Bashar Assad and banners commemorating Syrian pride, the official Syrian Arab News agency reports
Military commanders will mark the occasion with a visit to the tombs of national martyrs at a national memorial.
Syrian troops will also fire a 21-gun-salute in all of the 14 provinces during the morning hours with a fireworks display scheduled for Saturday evening.
Assad is the commander in chief of the Syrian armed forces, which number around 400,000 troops for mobilization. Syrian independence was formally recognized in 1946.