Syrian rebels capture army base

The aftermath of heavy fighting over a military base in the Syrian town of Daret Ezzah.

Syrian rebels gained control over the base in coordination with a group of defectors from within the batallion.

Amateur video obtained by Reuters, shot on June 24, shows the headquarters of the air defence battalion on fire.

Military hardware and weapons including loaded rocket launchers and radar systems were seized by the rebels.

The United Nations says more than 10,000 people have been killed by government forces since the outbreak of protests against President Bashar al-Assad's rule in March 2011.

Syria says at least 2,600 members of the military and security forces have been killed by what it calls foreign-backed "Islamist terrorists."

Sarah Sheffer, Reuters