Syria Rebels Seize Border Between Aleppo, Turkey

Syrian rebels seized a strategic checkpoint northwest of Aleppo on Monday after a 10-hour battle, enabling them to control a direct route between the Turkish border and the city of Aleppo. Just hours after the fighting, rebels were seen collecting ammunition and weapons, as others burned portraits of Bashar al-Assad.

Published

11 months ago

Categories

World, Middle East & North Africa, Middle East

Topics

Middle East & North Africa

People

Bashar al-Assad

Places

Syria, Turkey, Aleppo

Tags

syrian opposition

Transcript

SHOTLIST: ADANAN, NEAR ALEPPO, SYRIA, JULY 30, 2012, SOURCE: AFPTV - VAR of rebels entering the town of Anadan on a tank SOUDBITE 1 - Rifaat Khalil (man), rebel lieutenant who conducted the attack against the Adanan checkpoint (Arabic, 10 sec): "We've been controling the Adanan checkpoint for the past four hours. We've managed to take eight tanks and more than fourteen vehicles used to transport troops." - VAR of roadblock seen from a car SOUNDBITE 2 - Rifaat Khalil (man), rebel lieutenant who conducted the attack against the Adanan checkpoint (Arabic, 16 sec): "Of course, with all this, the region around Aleppo is now entirely liberated and can become a safe haven for Aleppo residents. This also improves the position of rebels in the city of Aleppo and, God willing, all the rebels will head to Aleppo to free it from the hands of the regime's gangs and the Shabiha." - VAR of rebels - VAR of rebels burning a picture of Bashar al-Assad /// ------------------------------ AFP TEXT STORY: Syria-conflict-rebels-Turkey,lead Syria rebels seize checkpoint between Aleppo and Turkey: AFP ANADAN, Syria, July 30, 2012 (AFP) - Syrian rebels seized a strategic checkpoint northwest of Aleppo on Monday after a 10-hour battle, securing them free movement between the northern city and Turkey, an AFP journalist said. "The Anadan checkpoint, five kilometres northwest of Aleppo, was taken this morning at 5:00 am (0200 GMT) after 10 hours of fighting," said General Ferzat Abdel Nasser, a rebel officer who deserted the Syrian army a month ago. By securing this position, the rebels now control a direct route between the Turkish border and the city of Aleppo, where the Syrian army launched an offensive Saturday to dislodge the rebel Free Syrian Army (FSA), composed of deserters and armed civilians. An AFP journalist on the ground said that the rebels captured seven tanks and armoured vehicles, and destroyed an eighth vehicle. Six soldiers were killed and 25 were taken as prisoners, General Ferzat told AFP by phone, adding that four of his own men died in the fighting. kat-sk/am/jds