The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says fighter jets twice hit opposition-held areas Tuesday near the city, and heavy fighting then broke out at a nearby army base. The group says there were casualties in the fighting but gave no specifics.
Dramatic footage shot by The Associated Press showed a group of 45 young rebel fighters launching a surprise attack on the military base, and others deploying improvised cannons and makeshift mortars. Some are also seen firing anti-aircraft weapons at attacking government helicopters.
The Syrian army responded with airstrikes and shelling to block the rebel advance, killing at least one of the fighters Monday, opposition fighters told AP.
The fight for the base is part of the ongoing, broader struggle for control of northern Syria where the opposition controls large swathes of territory captured from President Bashar Assad's troops.
“We are ready to move on our military operation, in order to remove the enemy check-points and the army present in the Wadi Deif area and army base,” one of the fighters said before heading into the battle. “God is great and He is the one who protects us.”
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