Thursday’s strike on the Homs Military Academy killed 89 people, including 31 women and five children, and wounded as many as 277, according to the health ministry.
No group immediately claimed responsibility for Thursday's attack as Syria endures its 13th year of conflict that has killed half a million people.
Syrian Defense Minister Gen. Ali Abbas was present Friday outside the hospital, where he comforted the families of victims.
An opposition war monitor reported Thursday that Abbas had left the graduation ceremony shortly before the attack.
The tide turned in Assad’s favor against rebel groups in 2015, when Russia provided key military backing to Syria, as well as Iran and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.
Persons:
—, Thursday’s, Syria’s, ”, Qader, Ibrahim Shaaban, Raneem, Mohammed, Rima, Hussein Quba, ” Shaaban, Bassam Mohammed, Ali Abbas, Abbas, Jaafar Mohammed, “, Bashar Assad’s, Bassem Mroue
Organizations:
Homs Military Academy, Syrian Civil Defense, Syrian Defense, Associated Press
Locations:
HOMS, Syria, Homs, Russia, Turkey, Russian, Idlib, Aleppo, Daret, Raneem Quba, Iran, Lebanese, Beirut