A Syrian soccer goalkeeper who became known as the 'singer of the revolution' in the rebellion against President Bashar Assad has died from wounds suffered in a battle with government forces.
This photo provided on Saturday, June 8, 2019, by a Syrian rebel group Jaysh al-Izza, shows Abdelbaset Sarout, the former Syrian national soccer goalkeeper turned anti-government fighter, smiles as he poses for a picture, in Hama, Syria. A rebel spokesman says Saturday, June 8, 2019, Sarout has died of wounds sustained in battles against Syrian troops advancing on the last opposition stronghold.
Abdelbaset Sarout, 27, rose to fame as a player for his home city of Homs and won international titles representing his country. When peaceful protests broke out against Assad in 2011, Sarout led rallies and became known as the “singer of the revolution” for his songs and ballads.as the country slid into civil war. He led a unit of fighters against government forces and survived the government siege of Homs.
“He was both a popular figure, guiding the rebellion, and a military commander,” said Maj. Jamil al-Saleh, leader of Jaish al-Izza rebel group, in which Sarout was a commander. “His martyrdom will give us a push to continue down the path he chose and to which he offered his soul and blood as sacrifice.”
Cpt. Mustafa Maarati, the spokesman for Jaish al-Izza, said Sarout died from wounds sustained two days earlier while fighting in the northern Hama province. Maarati said he was wounded in the leg, stomach and hand, and died in a hospital in Turkey. Turkey supports the Syrian opposition.
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