Assad and Hezbullah gain control of Lebanon-Syria border, choke off rebel supply line
Let's go to the videotape.
State television SANA said government forces had won "complete control" over the town, killing or capturing many rebels.
A military source told Reuters most of the rebels had pulled out of Yabroud around dawn, a day after government forces entered its eastern districts and captured several hilltops.
Troops had dismantled a large number of explosive devices planted by the rebels, SANA said.
A fighter in Yabroud from the Nusra Front, al-Qaida's official affiliate in Syria, confirmed to Reuters the rebels had decided to pull out. They were heading towards nearby villages including Hosh Arab, Rankos and Fleita, he said.
Fighters from the Lebanese Shi'ite Muslim militant group Hezbollah supported the Syrian army and pro-government fighters in sealing off the frontier area with Lebanon.
He said they did not plan to withdraw across the Lebanese border to Arsal, a crossing point 20 km (13 miles) to the northwest which rebels and refugees have used regularly.
Thousands of civilians fled Yabroud, a town of about 40,000 to 50,000 people roughly 60 km (40 miles) north of Damascus, and the surrounding areas after it was bombed and shelled last month ahead of the government offensive.
Scenes broadcast by Al Mayadeen television from a main thoroughfare inside Yabroud showed empty streets, shuttered shops and abandoned homes.
Heavy gunfire could be heard in the background, which a reporter said came from a nearby area where government forces were clashing with rebel holdouts.Hmmm.
Labels: Aleppo, Bashar al-Assad, Damascus, Hezbullah, Lebanon, Nusra Front, Syrian uprising
posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 1:53 PM
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