A Free Syrian Army fighter points his weapon during clashes with forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in Aleppo's al-Amereya district. (Zain Karam/Reuters)

Hezbollah Braces For Big Syria Battle, But Takes Losses -- UPI

Hezbollah is reportedly massing 2,000-4,000 fighters near the divided northern city of Aleppo for the next major battle in Syria's civil war, but it's believed to have paid a high price in blood for its support of longtime ally President Bashar Assad.

TEL AVIV, Israel, June 25 (UPI) -- Hezbollah is reportedly massing 2,000 to 4,000 fighters near the divided northern city of Aleppo for the next major battle in Syria's civil war, despite the bloody cost it has paid in support of President Bashar Assad, its longtime ally.

Some analysts, in Israel, Lebanon and other regional states, estimate the Iranian-backed Shiite movement has suffered "hundreds" of casualties in fighting rebel forces in recent weeks as the conflict moves toward what could be the decisive battle of the 27-month-old civil war.

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More News On Syria's Civil War

Syria Live Blog -- Al Jazeera
Saudi Arabia: Syrian rebels must be armed -- The Guardian
Syrian army hits rebels, Riyadh accuses Assad of genocide -- Reuters
Syria battles rage in Damascus, Aleppo -- Daily Telegraph
Syria battles rage in Damascus, Aleppo: NGO -- FOX News/AFP
Fighting rages after Doha meeting on Syria -- Al Jazeera
Syrian al-Qaida-affiliated group claims responsibility for suicide bombings that killed 5 -- Washington Post/AP
Syrian Rebels Welcome Arms Pledges -- Voice of America
Syria: Rebel Leader Warns Of Weapons Delays -- SKY News
Syria says rebels will take years to match army's strength -- Reuters
Syria's oilfields create surreal battle lines amid chaos and tribal loyalties -- The Guardian
Begging for food spreads in Syria -- News24
Syria sides head for neither victory nor defeat -- Jim Muir, BBC News
Analysis: Sectarian violence triggers Sunni-Alawi segregation in Syria -- Gabriela Keller, IRIN
Iran commander: Syria conflict will end when Israel falls -- Washington Times
Stumbling Into Syria -- David Bromwich, New York Review Of Books