Rebels, Syrian troops clash in Aleppo: Activists

In this August 29, 2012 photo, a Syrian man walks in his house which was destroyed in a Syrian government forces shelling, over looking the rubble of other houses, in Azaz, on the outskirts of Aleppo.

Activists say rebels are attacking several security compounds in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said one of Friday’s attacks targeted a compound in the neighbourhood of Zahraa, killing and wounding a number of troops. It gave no figures.

Aleppo-based activist Mohammed Saeed said rebels are attacking four security buildings around Syria’s largest city, using rocket launchers and machine guns.

Rebels took parts of Aleppo, Syria’s commercial capital, last month. Since then, government forces have been trying to recapture them.

Activists estimate more than 20,000 people have been killed since the uprising against President Bashar Assad’s regime began more than 17 months ago, turning into a civil war.

There has been fighting all over the country, including the capital, Damascus.