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                Syrian Rebels, Troops Clash over Aleppo Air Base

   by VOA News

   Syrian rebels have clashed with government troops over control of an
   air defense base near the country's most populous city.
   Activists said rebels attacked the air force post Friday outside
   Aleppo, but there are conflicting reports as to whether the rebels have
   taken over the base.
   Fighting continued in several Syrian locales. The opposition [1]Syrian
   Observatory for Human rights said six rebels were killed in an attack
   on a military checkpoint in Dara'a province that left 14 soldiers dead.
   The group said air bombardments and heavy clashes are taking place in
   Idlib, Deir Ezzor and Aleppo provinces.
   The activists said 260 Syrians were killed in fighting Thursday,
   including 86 civilians, 60 rebel fighters, 13 defected soldiers, and 92
   regime forces. There was no government comment on the reports and Syria
   does not permit journalists to report freely in the country.
   Video from inside Aleppo posted on the internet showed friends and
   family members mourning  loved ones as residents continued to flee from
   shelling. A doctor at a local hospital said his facility treats ten to
   15 injured children each day, and many often end up dying from their
   wounds.
   The latest violence came after Turkey defended its decision to
   intercept a Syrian-bound plane that it said was carrying military
   equipment and ammunition destined for Syria's government.
   ''Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Thursday the
   Syrian-bound passenger jet, travelling from Moscow to Damascus earlier
   this week, was carrying illicit cargo provided by a Russian supplier.
   Mr. Erdogan did not elaborate on where Turkey received the intelligence
   or who in Russia had provided the materials.
   Syrian officials have denied the plane was carrying any military cargo.
   Russia, a top ally of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, demanded an
   explanation from Turkey, saying its actions threatened the lives and
   safety of the passengers on board.
   The Syrian Air flight was intercepted by fighter jets late Wednesday in
   the Turkish capital, Ankara. The plane was allowed to complete its trip
   to Syria early Thursday without the cargo.
   The incident has increased tensions between Turkey and Syria, countries
   that in recent weeks have exchanged artillery fire across their shared
   border.

   Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
     __________________________________________________________________

   [2]http://www.voanews.com/content/syrian-rebels-troops-clash-over-alepp
   o-air-base/1525447.html

References

   1. http://www.syriahr.com/
   2. http://www.voanews.com/content/syrian-rebels-troops-clash-over-aleppo-air-base/1525447.html