Syrian Rebels Claim Capture Of Strategic Military Base

Syrian Rebels Claim Capture Of Strategic Military Base -- CNN

(CNN) -- Syrian rebel fighters said Friday they have captured a strategic northern military base used by the government to bomb opposition strongholds.

Rebel fighters and militants from various Islamic groups, including the jihadist al-Nusra Front, took part in the offensive, an opposition spokesman said.

They've seized control of buildings, ammunition and military equipment at the base in Idlib province, the opposition said, signaling a major blow to President Bashar al-Assad's forces.

"They are taking credit now for having taken the air base," U.S. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland told reporters Friday. "And, as you know, we consider this significant on two fronts.

"First of all, to ground some of the air assets of the Assad regime that they've been using against civilians. And, secondly, to break their ability to resupply in the north."

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More News On Syrian Rebels Claiming The Capture Of A Key Northern Syrian Military Base

Syria Live Blog -- Al Jazeera
Syrian rebels take Taftanaz air base - Friday 11 January 2013 -- Guardian Live Blog

Syrian rebels say they've seized strategic Taftanaz air base -- L.A. Times
Syria rebels capture key Idlib airbase -- Al Jazeera
Rebels take largest Syria military airbase -- The Australian
Syrian Rebels Say They Seized Key Base in North -- New York Times
Rebels 'take control of key north Syria airbase' -- BBC
Syrian rebels seize parts of strategic air base -- Bloomberg Businessweek/AP
Syrian rebels take control of key Assad airbase -- The Guardian
Syrian rebels capture regime air base -- The National
Reports: Syrian Rebels Seize Key Airbase -- RTT
Syria rebels take key airbase, peace envoy downbeat -- AFP

My Comment: If these reports are true, it is a strategic victory for the rebels .... in short .... they have essentially liberated the north of the country.