Syrian authorities denied media reports of an attack on President Bashar al-Assad's motorcade on Thursday as he was on his way to a mosque to attend prayers marking the Muslim Eid al-Fitr holiday.
"These reports are totally false. The president was driving his car himself, he attended the prayer and greeted people... everything is normal," Information Minister Omran al-Zohbi told state television.
Syrian rebels attacked Assad convoy in Damascus
Syrian rebels claimed Thursday morning they struck the convoy of Syrian president Bashar Assad in the capital. According to rebel commander Firas al-Bitar speaking to the Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya news network, Assad was not injured in the attack.
The convoy was reportedly attacked with 17 mortar rounds while on its way to a Damascus mosque for Eid al-Fitr prayers in honor of the holiday that ends the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
Al-Arabiya reported on its Twitter feed that Assad had been seen on Syrian television performing Eid prayers at Damascus mosque shortly after news of the attack footage that was reportedly aired live.