- Title: SYRIA: Rebels prepare to reinforce Aleppo
- Date: 12th August 2012
- Summary: DANA AREA OF IDLIB, SYRIA (AUGUST, 11, 2012) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF REBEL FIGHTERS SERVING IFTAR MEAL VARIOUS OF REBELS EATING IFTAR CLOSE OF FOOD MORE OF REBELS EATING AND CHATTING VARIOUS OF REBELS PRAYING VARIOUS OF REBELS GETTING READY TO LEAVE FOR ALEPPO (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) UNNAMED REBEL FIGHTER, SAYING: "To Aleppo. We are going to demolish al-Assad's gangs and shabee
- Embargoed: 27th August 2012 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Syrian Arab Republic
- Country: Syria
- Topics: Conflict
- Reuters ID: LVAA0D3PD8DEKRKN7KF2NY80AGLA
- Story Text: Syrian rebels fighting to oust President Bashar al-Assad prepared on Saturday (August 11) to send reinforcements to northern Aleppo city where they are fighting to hold their ground against government troops.
In Dana town in Idlib province, the fighters packed bullets and guns and first-aid supplies after saying breaking their Ramadan fast.
"To Aleppo. We are going to demolish al-Assad's gangs and shabihas (government militias). For the sake of children, mosques, and honour. He does not show mercy to anyone," said one rebel.
Another fighter said he had returned from Europe to fight alongside the rebel Free Syrian Army.
"I am a physiotherapist and specialise in Chinese medicine. I am also a taekwondo trainer. I left my children in Europe and came back to defend my country and people," he said.
Rebels had seized swathes of the city three weeks ago. They are locked in fighting with government forces to hold their ground in the country's biggest city and economic hub.
Aleppo and the capital Damascus, where troops snuffed out a rebel offensive last month, are vital to Assad's struggle for the survival of a ruling system his family and members of his minority Alawite clan have dominated for four decades. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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