Syria slams ‘hostile’ France as violence rages

Syrian rebels claimed they captured a large special forces base on a main road between the city of Aleppo and the Turkish border yesterday.

Unverified video footage showed rebels inside the 18sq km facility in Orum al-Sughra among tanks and artillery they had seized. At least 18 troops loyal to president Bashar al-Assad were taken prisoner, opposition campaigners said.

A statement by the Aleppo Media Centre said at least 15 tanks were seized and officers were among loyalist forces captured.