Rebels launch mortars on govt troops in Aleppo

Zeenews Bureau

Aleppo: Syrian rebels on Saturday launched mortar attacks on government troops in Aleppo as both sides clashed to wrest control of the second biggest Syrian city. According to reports, the rebels have, however, suffered heavy losses in the counter-attacks by the forces loyal to the Bashar al Assad regime. The worst of fighting in Syria also coincides with Washington unveiling new funding for humanitarian aid and the civilian opposition. Syrian activists have claimed that at least 150 people have been killed across Syria on Friday, 40 of them in Aleppo. On Thursday, the UN said the number of Syrians fleeing to other states could exceed 700,000 by the end of the year. More than half a million are believed to have already crossed into Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq, but only 294,000 have registered with the UN. UN agencies and other humanitarian groups have issued a funding appeal for $488m (£300m) to help them meet the needs of the refugees. With Agency Inputs