Syrian rebels seize military base

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A key Syrian military base in the hands of rebels --- and a warning to President Bashar al Assad from the rebels' leader.

Rockets are now directed at the presidential palace. Give up your throne or else, Captain Abdullah Babhoh says to the camera in this latest video posted to a social media website.

Pointing a surface to air missile, he says we will liberate Damascus in 24 hours.

Three soldiers taken prisoner.

Reuters cannot independently verify the content of this video or reports rebels seized the base with help from those inside.

Their hold on the base was short-lived, however. Rebels looted the installation of machine guns and bullets, but no missiles were fired before the army rained down artillery and forced the rebels out.

The action comes amid reports of yet another massacre -- this latest one in al Haffeh. Parents in the predominantly Sunni village are in mourning after what locals say has been seven straight days of heavy shelling by government forces.

Deborah Gembara, Reuters