Syrian rebels say capture air base east of Damascus

  
Syrian rebels said on Sunday they had captured a helicopter base 15 km (10 miles) east of Damascus after an overnight battle, the second military facility on the outskirts of the capital to fall to President Bashar al-Assad's opponents this month.   

An Internet video which activists said was filmed at the Marj al-Sultan base showed rebel fighters carrying AK-47 rifles touring the facility. An anti-aircraft gun could be seen positioned on top of an empty bunker and a rebel commander was shown next to a helicopter.

Earlier on Sunday morning, pro-regime troops targeted areas in Damascus Reef, a day after military operations reached the capital and killed over 50 people. During the operation, opposition fighters controlled large parts of the military airport of Marj al Sultan in Damascus Reef, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.            

The Observatory reported Saturday that 85 people were killed in violence across Syria, including 51 in Damascus and the neighboring areas. Among the victims were 31 opposition fighters and 16 pro-regime soldiers.


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