Syrian Government and Foes Giving No Ground in Aleppo - East Idaho News
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Syrian Government and Foes Giving No Ground in Aleppo

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Getty 073012 AleppoSyria?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1343814717264Scott Peterson/Getty Images(ALEPPO, Syria) — Syria’s largest city of Aleppo remained under siege on Tuesday as government forces and rebel fighters both claimed they had made headway in taking control of important pockets of the commercial hub.

The outcome of the 17-month-long conflict could depend on who ultimately wins the city in Syria’s northeast.

Reports are that the Syrian soldiers are using a military base in the south as its headquarters while rebels from the Free Syrian Army seem to have taken firm hold of eastern sections of Aleppo.

Both sides say they are determined to win the important large neighborhood of Salaheddiin in the city’s southwest.

Meanwhile, opposition forces boasted of taking over two large police stations, which are considered valuable military locations.  Since the government uses them for intelligence, keeping the precincts out of the Syrian army’s hands puts them at a disadvantage.

Government and rebel forces appear ready for a long fight in Aleppo even as soldiers loyal to President Bashar al-Assad have the upper hand in troop strength and fire power.  An estimated 20,000 people have died in the civil war that began as a peaceful protest for democratic reform in March 2011.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

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