  Syrian activists report raging battles in Aleppo historic districts September 29, 2012 - 13:28 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Syrian activists say raging firefights between government forces and rebels in the historic districts of central Aleppo have started a major fire in the city's medieval souks, or markets, The Associated Press reports. The covered souks, some of the Middle East's largest, were once a major tourist attraction. Rebels fighting to topple Syrian President Bashar Assad launched an offensive to drive his forces out of Syria's largest city and commercial hub. Aleppo-based activist Ahmad al-Halabi estimates the blaze destroyed a majority of the shops in the district overnight. He said some were still on fire. The Britain-based Observatory for Human Rights and other activists also reported Saturday that part of the souks were on fire. A video posted online showed smoke covering Aleppo, said to be a result of the bazaar fire. Partner news  Top stories Jorge Rafael Videla, an austere former army commander, led Argentina during the bloodiest days of its Dirty War dictatorship. According to the United Nations, April was Iraq's bloodiest month for almost five years, with 712 people killed. Reports suggest the rebel fighters may have tried to blow up the walls of the prison, which holds some 4,000 inmates. Moscow has condemned other nations for supporting rebel forces and failing to condemn what it describes as terrorist attacks on the Syrian regime.   Partner news |  Latest news April 24 declared non-work day in Glendale  Berdj Karapetian, chairman of the Armenian National Committee, Glendale chapter, applauded the change in a statement.Sources say Tumblr eyes Yahoo’s $1.1bn offer as ‘too low’ Tumblr employees have been told that the company only has enough funds to operate for a few more months.“Armenia. The Mysteries of Stones” exhibit opens in Strasbourg Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian met in Strasbourg with counterparts from a number of European counties.Israel prefers Assad survive the bloody conflict - report A weakened, but intact Assad regime would be preferable for Syria and the Middle East, the intelligence source said. |
