A Syrian rebel takes position as a helicopter hovers over the northern city of Aleppo, July 23, 2012.
Syrian opposition activists say the government has sent troop reinforcements to the city of Aleppo, where fierce fighting between rebels and the military continued for a fifth day.
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said clashes were taking place Wednesday in several Aleppo neighborhoods, and that Syrian forces were using helicopters.
The Observatory says at least eight people were killed by shelling and gunfire in Aleppo province, Hama and Idlib. Activists say government forces on Wednesday also shelled the Damascus suburb of al-Tel.
More than 100,000 people have fled the violence in Syria since the nation＇s uprising began in March of last year. Activists say more than 19,000 people have been killed.
Border Closings
Meanwhile, officials in neighboring Turkey said the country was closing its border crossings with Syria beginning Wednesday because of worsening security conditions.
The closure will prevent vehicles from traveling between the two nations, shutting down a major trade route.
Syrian rebels have captured several crossings recently. Last week, Turkish trucks were burned and looted during a battle between opposition and government forces in Bab al-Hawa on the Syrian side of the border.
International Response
In Washington Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the rebels are seizing control of more and more territory, which she says will eventually become a safe haven and a base for more operations. She said the opposition must be ready to start work on an interim government that protects the rights of all Syrians and safeguards the nation＇s stockpile of chemical and biological weapons.
Clinton also said the United States is increasing its efforts to help the rebels fighting to topple President Bashar al-Assad.
She gave no details. But she said the U.S. is giving such non-lethal aid as medical and communications support. She said Washington is working outside of the United Nations Security Council, where Russia and China have vetoed three resolutions that would have taken strong action against the Assad government.
On Wednesday, Russia＇s foreign ministry expressed its opposition to new European Union sanctions against Syria, saying they could be seen as a "blockade" of the country.
The EU took action earlier this week to strengthen its arms embargo against the Syrian regime, blacklist nearly 30 government-associated people and companies, and ban the Syrian national airline from landing in EU countries. |
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