"A handout picture released on July 26, 2015 by the official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) shows President Bashar al-Assad waving to the crowd following a speech in the capital Damascus. Al-Assad acknowledged the shrinking ranks of his government's army in a rare public speech, but insisted the force was still capable of beating rebel fighters. AFP PHOTO / HO /SANA == RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT ""AFP PHOTO / HO /SANA"" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS ==HO/AFP/Getty Images"
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