Relatives in Syria of Ahmed al Ahmed, 43, the Muslim fruit vendor lauded for disarming one of the terrorists who attacked a Hanukkah event in Sydney, called him a hero on Wednesday, and expressed their pride.

Ahmed left his hometown in Syria’s northwest province of Idlib nearly 20 years ago to seek work in Australia. His uncle, Mohammed al-Ahmed, recognized him from footage circulating online.

“We learned through social media. I called his father and he told me that it was Ahmed. Ahmed is a hero, we’re proud of him. Syria in general is proud of him,” the uncle told Reuters.

The man said his nephew left Syria in 2006 after completing a degree at Aleppo University. He hasn’t been back since.

“Since he was young, he was gallant........

© The Times of Israel