Syria rebels 'capture key Aleppo air base'

 Syrian rebels have converged on a military airport in Aleppo, where troops prepare for an assault. Source: AAP Rebels fighting to overthrow Syrian President Bashar al-Assad have captured a key air base in Aleppo province, near the Turkish border, activists say.

The pro-opposition Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said rebels took Minnig airport early on Tuesday.

The opposition has been trying to capture the base since last year.

Rebels have also recently taken several villages in Latakia province, the heartland of President Assad's minority Alawite sect.

But loyalist forces have made recent gains too - in the cities of Damascus and Homs, and other areas of Aleppo.

More than 100,000 people have been killed in the 28-month conflict in Syria, with a further 1.7 million Syrians forced to seek shelter in neighbouring countries, according to UN estimates.

Analysts say the capture of the Minnig base is a blow to President Assad because it deprives his forces of what was one of their main supply routes in Aleppo province.


Source: BBC


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