Syrian rebels seize air base

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Syrian rebels launch an assault on a military airport near Aleppo.

This amateur footage, which cannot be independently verified, is said to show fighters capturing the Jarrah base on Tuesday (February 12).

The opposition says the attack aimed to neutralise some government airpower, which has hindered the rebel advance.

Violence has intensified in recent weeks - and has also seen rebels advance on central Damascus.

More footage appears to show rebels seizing a military barracks in Jobar, on the outskirts of the capital.

Amid the celebration, a number of captured government soldiers.

Residents say the army has moved tanks close to the area to shore up its defence of the capital.

For almost two years rebels have been battling to bring down the government, at a cost of almost 70,000 lives.