LATEST: Video — Aleppo Provincial Workers Council Denounces Opposition Coalition

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President Assad’s PR visit on New Year to Syrian troops at the “frontline” in Damascus had an unexpected twist on Thursday, with questions over whether the regime had lied about the location.

State media insists this morning, “Syrian army’s soldiers, officers and popular defense forces stationed in Jobar affirmed…that President Bashar al-Assad’s visit…increased their determination to continue the war of defending Syria against terrorists.”

However, activists established from photographs that Assad had not been to Jobar — where regime troops have been trying for months to push out insurgents — but to Zablatani, 1.5 km (about 1 mile away). They claimed that, far from being on the “fire line” as State media heralded, Assad had made a carefully stage-managed appearance at a safe remove from the fighting.

Reaction inside Syria is uncertain, but the debate outside the country pushed the regime’s intended message to the background. Assad’s critics said the incident was another example of the deception of a President who had lost legitimacy. Defenders maintained that he had not lied, as Zablatani was in the “greater Jobar area”.

State media persists this morning:

“The visit has increased hope that we will celebrate the coming of next year in our houses and with our families after we accomplish our duties in restoring security and stability to Syria,” one of the army’s officers said.

One soldier added “We are here in Jobar to defend the right and restore dignity to the Syrian people.”

Another member in the popular defense forces said “The president’s visit and his participation in our supper on the front line have increased our morals to achieve new victories on terrorism.”

Meanwhile, on the “fire line”, regime forces attacked Jobar on Thursday with “violent clashes” and airstrikes.

Destruction from shelling:

Insurgents firing at Syrian forces:

The Syrian Air Force also resumed bombardment on other areas near Damascus, including Al Marj, Deir al-Asafir, Douma, Shebaa, Zabadani, and Hajar al-Aswad.

Aftermath of an attack in Hajar al-Aswad:

Video: Aleppo Provincial Workers Council Denounces Opposition Coalition

Members of the Aleppo Provincial Workers Council criticize the Syrian National Coalition:

Why are we forgotten? Where are the millions and billions [of dollars] sent from outside going? Are you trading on our blood and hard work?

Video: Kurdish Forces Fighting Islamic State in Kobane

Footage of Kurdish forces resisting the Islamic State’s attacks on Kobane in northern Syria:

The Islamic State has been trying to take over the city, near the Turkish border, and the surrounding area since September.

Claims: Insurgent Shelling Kills Up to 20 in Aleppo

Claims are circulating on social media that up to 20 people were killed by insurgent shelling of regime-held western Aleppo on Thursday, with a Facebook page listing the names and ages of the dead.

State media says 13 people died and 18 were injured by four rocket on and near the al-Shuhada neighborhood.