Syria: Rebels captured city of Raqqa
Syrian opposition fighters captured the northeastern city of Raqqa yesterday, and crowds toppled a statue of President Bashar Assad’s father, opposition sources and a resident said.
The fall of Raqqa on the Euphrates River would be a significant development in the 2-year-old revolt against Assad. The rebels do not claim to hold any other provincial capitals.
Rebel fighters said loyalist forces were still dug in at the provincial airport 40 miles from Raqqa, and they remained a threat. A resident said that a Syrian military intelligence compound in the town was not in rebel hands but was surrounded by anti-Assad fighters.