Violence intensifies around Syrian capital

[UnrepentantLiberal]

1. Syria's endgame in sight as rebels advance

By Ashley Fantz and Joe Sterling
CNN
Dec 6, 2012

-snip-

They have seized control of key oil fields and territory in important areas of the north. They have audaciously fired on the Damascus airport and downed several military aircraft.

Rebels pounced on a key Air Force headquarters outside the northern city of Aleppo, seizing a large cache of weapons, and leaving the regime so desperate it bombed its own bases to prevent the rebels from getting any more.

It was another blow to Syria's army, which experts say is spent, stretched thin by desertions and defections.

Syrian rebels in Damascus say they are more organized, better armed with heavy weaponry, and ready to "cleanse Syria" of government forces, Free Syrian Army spokesman Abu Qutada told CNN.

He said the rebels have "started the ending battle" of the war.

More: http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/06/world/syria-turning-point/index.html?c=homepage-t&page=0