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Syrian rebels claim capture of key town

Arab World Materials 29 March 2013 14:26 (UTC +04:00)
Syrian rebels have captured a key town in the south of the war-torn country after fierce fighting with government troops, reported an opposition group on Friday.
Syrian rebels claim capture of key town

Syrian rebels have captured a key town in the south of the war-torn country after fierce fighting with government troops, reported an opposition group on Friday.

The rebels, fighting to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad, are in full control of the town of Daal located on a highway between Damascus and Daraa in the south, added the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, dpa reported.

At least 17 insurgents, 12 soldiers and nine civilians were killed in the battle, said the watchdog.

Lawmaker Walid al-Zoghabi, a native of Daraa, was quoted on state-run television as saying that "terrorist groups" had made gains in Daraa, which was the birthplace of the two-year uprising against al-Assad.

Opposition forces have recently claimed major gains, but their fighting against al-Assad seems to have settled into a statlemate.

Meanwhile, the Syrian navy fired at a Lebanese boat, injuring a fisherman, Lebanon's official National News Agency reported.

The incident occurred in Lebanese territorial waters, it added.

The Syrian navy has been closely monitoring the northern Lebanese coast to prevent militants from infiltrating into Syria to join fighting against al-Assad's regime.

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