Fierce fighting in Aleppo as Assad’s forces gain ground

08/08/12 23:13 CET

world news

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Rebel fighters in the Syrian city of Aleppo have been forced to abandon positions in their Salaheddine stronghold after government troops launched a ground and air assault.

A Syrian government security source told Lebanon’s Al-Manar TV that Syrian forces are in control of the area and have inflicted heavy losses on the “armed terrorist groups.”

But the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, says that fighting is ongoing and rebels are trying to re-take the area.

Due to the situation in Syrian independent verification of the situation on the ground is difficult.

Turkey says that in the last 48 hours the number of people fleeing the fighting in Aleppo has increased.

Aleppo, Syria’s largest city and commercial hub, is some 40 kilometres from the Turkish border.

More about: Bashar al-Assad, Civil War, Syria, Syrian army, Syrian politics

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