Syria rebels build momentum with tactical successes

BBC ^ | 27 November 2012 Last updated at 07:44 ET

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Opposition supporters hope rebel-held areas will become fully "liberated"

Over the past month, rebel forces in Syria have enjoyed tactical successes which analysts say demonstrate their growing ability to challenge the government's military dominance.

The rebels have displayed military strength and organisation in capturing several major military bases, seizing weaponry, disrupting supply lines, and forcing the military to pull back.

Capturing military bases

It is unclear how many government bases the rebels have overrun since the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad began in March 2011, mostly because they have rarely attempted to hold them because of the risk of retaliatory air strikes or ground assaults.

Analysts have in the past summed up the rebel strategy as "hit and run".

The base of the army's 46th Regiment at Atareb was a pillar of the government's garrison in Aleppo

However, rebel fighters now appear to be seeking to occupy or prevent the government regaining key army and air force bases which they have captured following co-ordinated offensives, some lasting several weeks.

Such a move will help solidify rebel control over Syria's border regions, analysts say, by making it harder for government forces to deploy warplanes and heavy armour. Many opposition supporters hope that with international help such areas will become fully "liberated" and that government forces will no longer be able to operate in the north.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[thouworm]

Thanks for ping.

FYI---2 other threads from yesterday:

Flow of Arms to Syria Through Iraq Persists, to U.S. Dismay

Unusual activity at Syrian chemical weapons sites amid rumors Assad is dead or fled [DEBKA]

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

NATO makes plans to back Turkey over Syria spillover ^

10/09/2012 4:42:34 PM PDT · by SunkenCiv · 14 replies Reuters ^