Syrian student officers carry the coffins of a victim who were martyred on Thursday in a drone attack that hit a military graduation ceremony, during a mass funeral procession in Homs, Syria, Friday, Oct. 6, 2023. (AP)

"Terrorism will not be able to turn our strength into weakness, our steadfastness into decline, and our faith into doubt," the Syrian Presidency said in an official statement following the terrorist attack that targeted an officers’ graduation ceremony at the Military Academy in Homs, earlier Thursday.

The Presidency stressed that "every drop of blood spilled yesterday will increase our strength, cohesion, and determination to move forward toward our victory," noting that terrorism, once again, turned "a moment of joy and pride into sadness and pain."

#Syria laid to rest numerous individuals who lost their lives in an attack on a military academy in #Homs. pic.twitter.com/6z9PNotiaC
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) October 6, 2023

Al Mayadeen's correspondent to Syria reported, earlier in the day, that the funeral processions of the Homs military academy martyrs have commenced at the military hospital in Homs.

The funeral procession of the 28 martyrs was also reportedly attended by Syrian Defense Minister Ali Abbas.

The Defense Minister, who was attending the graduation ceremony yesterday, told journalists, commenting on the terrorist attack: "We pay this price for our country's dignity, may god have mercy on the Martyrs."

In the most recent assessment, the Syrian Ministry of Health reported that the death tally of the terrorist attack has risen to 89 martyrs, which include 31 women and five children.

"The terrorist operation in #Homs is a national-scale disaster."
- International Relations Professor at the University of Damascus, Aqeel Mahfoudh, to #AlMayadeen. https://t.co/7VrzO9yNZb
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) October 6, 2023

Hezbollah condemns terrorist attack on Syrian military academy

In a statement condemning the recent terrorist attack, which targeted a military academy graduation ceremony of the Syrian Arab Army, Hezbollah affirmed that the attack is indicative of the persistent nature of the war with the terrorist groups in Syria, backed by local and international sponsors.

The Lebanese Resistance movement added that this attack is also indicative of the persistent efforts to destabilize Syria and terrorize its people.

"[The terrorist groups] persist with, overt international support, to practice its criminal role whenever life returns to normalcy in Syria," the statement read.

The statement concluded that "[The terrorist attack] will not weaken Syria but will only strengthen its resolve and determination to confront [the enemy] and preserve the country's peace and unity."