By By Paul Iddon Aug 1, 2012 in Politics Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has stated that the ongoing conflict between his regime and the rebel forces in Syria will ultimately decide the fate of the nation. It has been a fortnight since a bomb attack by rebels killed members of his inner circle and his whereabouts since that time are unknown, in his written statement he didn't give any clue to where he was. This indicates concerns regarding the presidents safety. This latest statement from the Syrian premier comes as battle rages between regime forces and entrenched rebels in the northern Syrian city Aleppo (the country's economic hub and largest city). It is a key battle and may decide the fate of the Syrian civil war as neither side cannot afford to lose the city if they hope to prevail. This explains why Assad has stressed that "the fate of our people and our nation, past, present and future, depends on this battle." July was the first time in this 17-month-long conflict that the fighting in the country was taken directly to the streets of Aleppo. BBC News and Reuters reported on the written statement in which Assad made these remarks today, which is armed forces day, to mark the occasion he also praised soldiers for their confrontation of "armed terrorist gangs."It has been a fortnight since a bomb attack by rebels killed members of his inner circle and his whereabouts since that time are unknown, in his written statement he didn't give any clue to where he was. This indicates concerns regarding the presidents safety.This latest statement from the Syrian premier comes as battle rages between regime forces and entrenched rebels in the northern Syrian city Aleppo (the country's economic hub and largest city). It is a key battle and may decide the fate of the Syrian civil war as neither side cannot afford to lose the city if they hope to prevail.This explains why Assad has stressed that "the fate of our people and our nation, past, present and future, depends on this battle."July was the first time in this 17-month-long conflict that the fighting in the country was taken directly to the streets of Aleppo. More about Bashar alAssad, Syria, Syrian civil war, Syrian uprising More news from Bashar alAssad Syria Syrian civil war Syrian uprising