Syrian rebels clash with Assad forces in Aleppo

Smoke rises from the town of Atareb in the Syrian province of Aleppo.

It's the result of ongoing clashes between government forces and rebels - part of the violent uprising against President Bashar al-Assad.

This rebel commander says Assad's forces attacked with 20 tanks and 10 pick up trucks full of militia because the town's residents called for a free Syria.

Elsewhere in the province, U.N. observers spoke to residents in Babto who highlighted the extent of destruction in their town.

U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon warned on Thursday that the ongoing loss of life in Syria has pushed the country to a tipping point.

He said the country could plunge into a civil war from which it might never recover.

Simon Hanna, Reuters. .