Syrian rebels tighten siege of two military bases

Report of over 200 people killed near Damascus and Aleppo since Friday

Rescue workers and bystanders surround a building damaged by a rocket attack, that killed at least 12 people, in Aleppo, Syria, on Friday (photo credit: AP/SANA)
Rescue workers and bystanders surround a building damaged by a rocket attack, that killed at least 12 people, in Aleppo, Syria, on Friday (photo credit: AP/SANA)

BEIRUT — Syrian activists report intense fighting on Saturday between government troops and rebels trying to tighten their siege of two military bases in the northeast.

Israel Radio reported that at least 200 Syrians had been killed at the hands of the Bashar Assad regime since Friday, mostly around Damascus and Aleppo.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and the Local Coordination Committees say rebels destroyed at least one tank near the town of Khan Sheikhoun in Idlib province on Saturday.

Rebels have been attacking the nearby bases of Wadi Deif and Hamdiyeh for weeks. The Observatory said the rebels are trying to cut roads that supply the two bases.

Besieged government bases are a recent focus of fighting in Syria’s conflict, which according to the UN has killed more than 60,000 people since March 2011.

Last week rebels captured the nearby airbase of Taftanaz, dealing a significant blow to President Bashar Assad’s regime.

Most Popular
read more:
If you’d like to comment, join
The Times of Israel Community.
Join The Times of Israel Community
Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Confirm Mail
Thank you! Now check your email
You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.