Syrian rebels batter military base near Aleppo

By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM)
8/3/2012
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

Rebel forces bolstered by military defectors who have joined the opposition

Syrian rebels have battered a military base near Aleppo, Syria's most populous city and its commercial hub, seizing tanks in previous clashes with government troops to pound the Menagh military airport. The main military airfield in the region is southeast of the city.

International diplomacy to resolve the ongoing Syrian uprising has failed. Kofi Annan, who championed a six-point peace plan he declared his resignation as the U.N. and Arab League joint special envoy to Syria.

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LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - The government-run Syrian Arab News Agency reported that the military was "killing or wounding dozens of terrorists" in the countryside outside Aleppo.

Government warplanes shelled the western and northern parts of the city, the opposition Local Coordination Committees of Syria said.

International diplomacy to resolve the ongoing Syrian uprising has failed. Kofi Annan, who championed a six-point peace plan he declared his resignation as the U.N. and Arab League joint special envoy to Syria.

Military defectors have streamed into the opposition's arms over the past several months, substantially strengthening rebel forces. The opposition is now equipped with heavy weaponry, including tanks, the United Nations said, a sign that the armed resistance to President Bashar al-Assad's regime is gaining military might.

In the meantime, shelling and clashes have raged across the city for days, sending thousands of people to flee for their lives. Both rebels and government forces have placed crucial importance on gaining control of the Aleppo.

Cellular networks, landline phones and Internet services, have been cut off in the city. Rebels say the cutoff is part of a regime plan before the government kicks off a full-scale attack.

Activists now can't communicate with one another and can't figure out what's happening in certain neighborhoods. "The regime is trying to prevent pictures of his crimes from reaching the media," Abu Hisham, an activist from Aleppo said.

Capt. Ammar Al-Wawi of the Free Syrian Army said MiG-23 fighter jets struck rebels in an Aleppo village and seven FSA soldiers died in shelling in another location.

In the meantime, Syrian state TV said soldiers "have been able to eliminate scores of terrorists and mercenaries" in Aleppo. The government media claims that the military is sweeping through the city's Salaheddine neighborhood and towns west of Aleppo.

U.S. officials have said that President Barack Obama had signed a covert directive authorizing U.S. support for Syrian rebels. In the meantime, Syrian state TV said Obama signed "secret documents" to "support terrorists."

The Obama administration had said it would step up its assistance to the opposition after last month's failure by the U.N. Security Council to agree on tougher sanctions against the al-Assad regime.

� 2012, Catholic Online. Distributed by NEWS CONSORTIUM.

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Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.

Keywords: Aleppo, rebels, Syria, Bashar al-Assad, media reports

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1 - 3 of 3 Comments

John Boy
10 months ago
This is just another Libya in the making where the reasons for war are vague at best and at worst an invention.

I pity the ordinary people. Esp the Christians who ultimately will pay the price of this so called fight for Freedom as the rebels regain ground. (see the situation of our brothers in Christ in Iraq / Egypt / Libya etc)

I question who these freedom fighters are (in libya it has been revealed that they were mainly Qatari mixed with the Al Qaida - why are we supporting those guys again?) and what their real goals are.

The war mongering media has already been caught in several wag-the-dog like fabrications esp Anderson Cooper on CNN with the fake interview with a "freedom fighter" who turned out to be an Irishman who spoke Arabic who faked gun fire and falling motars for the camera - youtube it.

Don't let the beast pull the wool over your eyes, instead walk with Christ and the truth.

Pray for peace. Pray for our brothers and sisters who face a frightening future and especially the Church in the region.
abey
10 months ago
Even though Obama seems politically correct in supporting the so called rebels which seem mostly consisting of foreigners, but understood from the Biblical perspective stated in Daniel to the words "Ethiopia & (now) Libya will be at his door step" which is to his asking & knowing that many of these Foreign fighters are Libyans, able to use heavy weapons, basically thugs, routed through the turkish border by "secretive" Obama, in the revelation makes the Bible to be the inerrant word of God, irrespective of what Obama says or believes, is not to a good future.
Walt
10 months ago
American President signs authorization allowing Secret Clandestine CIA operations to begin. White House leaks news of operation making it not so secret and places operatives in harms way aiding the FSA. The rebels are Mujahedeen which is Al-Qaida, mixed with regular Syrian civilians and military defectors. We are aiding the very people who shot at us in Iraq.

James Carney yesterday denied the CIA operation, claims it's humanitarian aid only! Okay James. Reports of U.S. troops on the ground in southern Turkey. Reports of Kurdish rebels entering into northeast Syria from Iraq. Reports of skirmishes along border between Turkish troops and Kurdish rebels. Turkish outpost attacked with one Turkish soldier reportedly killed. Turkish Military moving tanks and heavy equipment.

Russia sending 3 troop ships Russian Marines heading to Syria. UN failed again thanks to Russia, China and Iran.

Zero confirmation on status of Chemical & Biological weapons. Israel worried as they should be. Israel will not allow stockpiles to fall into Hezbollah hands.

Does anyone else find it strange that once again that when world pressure mounts on Iran something Always flares up around Israel, Lebanon and now Syria. The spot light has been taken off Iran.

The Doomsday Clock is at 11:55 and ticking.

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