Battles Rage in Syrian Cities of Aleppo, Damascus

Posted July 25th, 2012 at 8:40 am (UTC-5)
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Syrian opposition activists say security forces have used attack helicopters and machine guns to pound targets in Damascus suburbs and Aleppo in an bid to oust rebels.

Activists also say anti-government related unrest is occurring in other regions Wednesday, including Hama and Idlib, where there shelling and gunfire are reported.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says at least 32 people have been killed in opposition-related violence across Syria on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, officials in neighboring Turkey have suspended commercial traffic from Syria but say the border remains open for refugees.

Syrian rebels have captured several crossings. Turkish trucks were burned and looted last week during a battle between opposition and government forces in Bab al-Hawa on the Syrian side of the border.

In another development, Herve Ladsous, the new commander of the U.N. observer mission in Syria, said the mission continues on a “reduced basis.”

He told reporters in Damascus, on Wednesday, the security situation in many parts of the country is “extremely delicate.” On Friday, the U.N. Security Council approved a resolution renewing the observer mission for up to 30 days.