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Thousands Flee as Fighting in Syria Escalates
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July 31, 2012 The Fresh Outlook  |
Fighting in Syria escalates to new levels as government troops continue their assault on the rebel held city of Aleppo.
After fresh reports of more clashes throughout the city, both sides claim to be in possession of the main stronghold of Salaheddin. While government controlled television reported on Monday that its troops had successfully taken over, the rebel forces appear to refute this claim. It is difficult to gage the successes of either side, but it is evident that the bloodshed continues.
Thousands of refugees have fled the violence, finding relative safety in Turkey, with numbers now reaching 44,038 according to Turkish paper Today’s Zaman. While the US and Turkey have pledged to aid the refugees that are still trapped by the battle as well as those who have escaped, the Syrian state-controlled al-Watan newspaper claims that Iran has warned Turkey not to intervene militarily. The danger is that any movement in that direction could instigate the Iranian-Syrian mutual defence agreement.
As the governance of the city changes hands daily, those still trapped within face massive food shortages as supplies are cut off by military advances. The quest for liberation, while welcomed as an ideal, is taking its toll on the people it attempts to release from President Assad’s regime.
By Lucy England
[Image courtesy of watchsmart]
