Syrian rebels step up siege of airbase

Smoke rises from buildings due to heavy shelling in Homs, Syria, on Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012. / AP/Shaam News Network via AP video

BEIRUT Syrian rebels stepped up their siege of a military base in north of the country Friday as government warplanes bombed surrounding areas to support the defenders, activists said.

The fighting around Mannagh airbase near the Turkish border came as foreign ministry officials in Ankara said two Syrian air force generals had defected and crossed the border.

Rebels have been advancing in different areas in northern Syria, capturing several bases in and around the embattled city of Aleppo in recent weeks.

"The fighting did not stop all night around Mannagh airport," said Aleppo-based activist Mohammed Saeed. He added that Syrian military warplanes bombed rebel positions around the camp in an attempt to take the pressure off the base.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said rebels reached the edge of the air base late Thursday and that heavy fighting continued into Friday.

The Observatory and Saeed also reported heavy clashes between troops and rebels in and around the Palestinian refugee camp of Handarat in Aleppo, Syria's largest city and commercial center, which opposition fighters have been trying for six months to capture.

Meanwhile, Russia's foreign minister said Moscow has proposed talks with the main Syrian opposition coalition, even though it had previously criticized Western countries for recognizing the group.

Sergey Lavrov told reporters that Russia has contacted the Syrian National Coalition for Opposition and Revolutionary Forces through the Russian Embassy in Egypt and "we expressed readiness to conduct a meeting" with coalition leader Mouaz al-Khatib.

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The opposition leader al-Khatib quickly delivered an apparent snub: "If we don't represent the Syrian people why is he inviting us?" He called on Russia to demand that President Bashar Assad step down, "a main condition in any negotiations."

"The Syrian people haven't heard one fair word from Russia to the Syrian people, especially to the children, innocent people and civilians who are killed every day with Russian weapons," al-Khatib said in an interview with Al-Jazeera TV.

Russia has been one of Assad's strongest supporters and used its veto right alongside China at the U.N. Security Council to protect its old ally from international sanctions.

It has increasingly sought to distance itself from the Syrian strongman with top Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin, making comments that suggest Russia is resigned to Assad losing power.

However, Russia continues to oppose calls for Assad's ouster, and has criticized Western countries for recognizing the opposition coalition, formed in November, as the legitimate representatives of the Syrian people. Moscow says this runs counter to agreements seeking to promote political transition in Syria.

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[joey1789]

How do these people take care of there Families
Who gives them Food

[unclec18017]

Notice how Putin and Russia have been arming Bashar Assad's regime for years... and telling the West to butt out. But Putin sees the writing on the wall: that Assad is losing grip on power and so now, Russia is proposing talks... the losing side always proposes talks, so they can try to squirm around, and find a way out of their small problem.

Russia has a lot to lose with Assad's fall, most importantly the Tartus naval base for their nuclear armed warships, and many billions in unpaid military debts. And not to mention, at least $15-20 billion in economic investments for energy, infrastucture and tourism. Ex-KGB chief Putin is learning the hard way, in today's world, you can't always get what you want. When Assad falls it will be a embarrasing defeat for Putin's plan of returning Russia to its former Soviet "glory".

And even more significant, the stupid "holy men", the Ayatollahs of Iran will lose their most important crony, who helps them spread terror, lies and weapons to try to destroy the western way of life. Heads up, stupid Ayatollahs - the Arab spring will be coming for you, too - but it'll be called the Persian spring! I hope in a year or two, we can say good riddance to the Islamic Republic of Iran!