Rebels capture 32 pro-government forces in Aleppo
An activist group say rebels in Syria have captured 32 soldiers and pro-government gunmen near the northern city of Aleppo, where fighting is raging as the two sides try to expand territory under their control, The Associated Press reported.
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and Aleppo-based activist Ahmad Hamed say the troops were seized in the village of Ratian after it was retaken by the rebels Wednesday.
The Observatory says rebels also recaptured the village of Hardatnein Thursday, two days after it was taken by government forces.
The Observatory and Hamed say intense clashes are taking outside a third village, Bashkoy, which was also taken by the government two days ago.
The fighting comes as U.N. envoy Staffan de Mistura is trying to broker a truce for the war-ravaged Aleppo, Syria's largest city.