Syrian rebels attack air base in the north

In this Saturday, Dec. 29, 2012 photo, Free Syrian Army fighters fire at enemy positions during heavy clashes with government forces, in the Salaheddine district of Aleppo, Syria. Activists say Syrian rebels have captured an oil pumping station in the north central province of Raqqa about 160 km east of Aleppo after days of fighting. (AP Photo/Abdullah Al-Yasin)

In this Saturday, Dec. 29, 2012 photo, Free Syrian Army fighters fire at enemy positions during heavy clashes with government forces, in the Salaheddine district of Aleppo, Syria. Activists say Syrian rebels have captured an oil pumping station in the north central province of Raqqa about 160 km east of Aleppo after days of fighting. (AP Photo/Abdullah Al-Yasin)

BEIRUT (AP) ? A Syrian activist group says scores of rebels are attacking a sprawling air base in the northern province of Idlib.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says the assault on the Taftanaz base began early Wednesday.

Observatory director Rami Abdul-Rahman described the attack as one "of the most intense" on the airfield.

In the past few weeks, Syrian rebels have stepped up their attacks on airports around the neighboring Aleppo province, trying to chip away at the government's air power, which poses the biggest obstacle to the opposition fighters' advances.

Rebels have attacked the Taftanaz base in the past but have failed to capture the facility.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/cae69a7523db45408eeb2b3a98c0c9c5/Article_2013-01-02-Syria/id-e71f77505dbe4736a6afa2d63784a660

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