Free Syrian army possesses now number of captured Syrian government forces main battle tanks 0208123

Conflict in the World - Syria War

Thursday, August 2, 2012, 10:38 AM

Free Syrian army possesses now a number of captured Syrian government forces main battle tanks.

The UN Supervision Mission in Syria said it's deeply concerned about the situation in Aleppo city, confirming that the armed rebels, for the first time, are in possession of heavy weapons including tanks. In briefing Wednesday, August 1, 2012, Sausan Ghosheh told reporters that the UN mission in Syria has confirmation that "the opposition is in possession of heavy weapons including tanks."

Syrian rebel fighters stand on top of a government tank T-55 captured two days earlier at a checkpoint in the village of Anadan, about five kilometres (3.8 miles) northwest of Aleppo, on August 01, 2012.

Ghosheh said the UN supervision mission is "very deeply concerned about the heavy fighting that is going on in Aleppo."

"We have reports... that there has been heavy use of heavy weapons including tanks and heavy machine-guns as well as artillery," she said, confirming that "yesterday for the first time saw firing from a fighter aircraft."

She said the humanitarian situation is deteriorating in Aleppo, adding that "there are some civilians who are trapped in the crossfire; there are others who are seeking refuge and shelter in schools and hospitals and public buildings, safer neighborhoods."

She said there is shortage of food, fuel, water and gas, and called on all parties to exercise utmost restrain.

Earlier in the day, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said the army troops are fighting fateful battles, as the enemies are using inside elements to strike the stability of Syria.

The president's remarks come as his rule faces internal and external threats with Western backed armed rebels launching a war of attrition against the government stronghold in the capital Damascus and northern Aleppo province, Syria's commercial hub.

The recent reports by the NBC about the fighting in Aleppo, which has started a week ago, indicate that the rebels have acquired surface-to-air missiles from Turkey, whose prime minister has recently said that " Syrians... will soon be freed from the regime with blood on its hands."