Syrian rebels on Monday took control of part of a strategic army base they have besieged for weeks in the northern province of Aleppo, a watchdog and residents said.
The rebel fighters also captured at least 25 regime soldiers during clashes with the military at the same base, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
‘Several insurgent groups have seized control of a large part of Base 46,’ said the Britain-based watchdog, citing activists in the region.
During their assault on the sprawling base, which is situated atop a hill near the town of Atarib, the rebel fighters seized heavy weapons from the military, it added. Amateur rebel video distributed by the Observatory showed the prisoners being held in a dark room, nearly all of them wearing civilian clothing.
ISLAMIC REBELS REJECT OPPOSITION, REGIME SLAMS FRANCE
The main Islamist rebel groups in Aleppo province have rejected the newly-formed Syrian opposition bloc saying they want an Islamic state, in an Internet video posted on Monday. The spokesperson listed 14 armed groups as signatories to the statement. Syria’s regime has slammed as ‘hostile’ a French decision to host an opposition ambassador. France, the first Western state to recognise the opposition National Coalition as the sole representative of the Syrian people, will also ask the European Union to lift an arms embargo for the rebels.
The rebel fighters also captured at least 25 regime soldiers during clashes with the military at the same base, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
‘Several insurgent groups have seized control of a large part of Base 46,’ said the Britain-based watchdog, citing activists in the region.
During their assault on the sprawling base, which is situated atop a hill near the town of Atarib, the rebel fighters seized heavy weapons from the military, it added. Amateur rebel video distributed by the Observatory showed the prisoners being held in a dark room, nearly all of them wearing civilian clothing.
ISLAMIC REBELS REJECT OPPOSITION, REGIME SLAMS FRANCE
The main Islamist rebel groups in Aleppo province have rejected the newly-formed Syrian opposition bloc saying they want an Islamic state, in an Internet video posted on Monday. The spokesperson listed 14 armed groups as signatories to the statement. Syria’s regime has slammed as ‘hostile’ a French decision to host an opposition ambassador. France, the first Western state to recognise the opposition National Coalition as the sole representative of the Syrian people, will also ask the European Union to lift an arms embargo for the rebels.