Activists report fierce fighting in Aleppo![]() September 28, 2012 - 13:39 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Activists say Syrian troops and rebels are fighting some of the fiercest battles in the northern city of Aleppo, The Associated Press reports. The clashes Friday, Sept 28 are part of a new push by the rebels to drive regime forces out of Syria's largest city and commercial capital after weeks of stalemate. Aleppo-based activist Baraa al-Halabi says some of the heaviest battles are taking place in a predominantly Kurdish neighborhood. The major rebel group in the city - the Tawhid Brigade - says on its Facebook page that its members have entered the Sheikh Maksoud neighborhood to fight pro-government Kurdish gunmen. Meanwhile, state-run Syrian TV says government troops repulsed an attack on the neighborhood with the help of its residents. Aleppo was once a bastion of support for President Bashar Assad. Partner news U.S. officials say they want to advance efforts to start talks between the Syrian government and opposition leaders. The international conference, backed by Russia and the U.S., aims to find a political solution to the conflict in Syria. Nuland, a career foreign service officer who was until recently State's top spokesperson, was expected to be nominated the post. Alkhatib said Assad should respond within 20 days and that he should then be given a month to dissolve parliament. Partner news |